ANSYS CFD-Post Users Guide PDF

ANSYS CFD-Post User's Guide
ANSYS, Inc. Release 18.0

Southpointe January 2017
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Table of Contents
Preface ...................................................................................................................................................... xxi
1. About this Manual ............................................................................................................................ xxi
2. Document Conventions ................................................................................................................... xxii
2.1. Spelling Conventions .............................................................................................................. xxiii
3. Accessing Help ................................................................................................................................ xxiv
4. Contact Information ........................................................................................................................ xxiv
1. Overview of CFD-Post ............................................................................................................................. 1
1.1. CFD-Post Features and Functionality ................................................................................................. 1
1.2. 3Dconnexion Product Support .......................................................................................................... 2
1.3. Advanced Features ........................................................................................................................... 2
1.4. Next Steps... ...................................................................................................................................... 2
2. Starting CFD-Post .................................................................................................................................... 3
2.1. Starting CFD-Post with the ANSYS CFX Launcher ............................................................................... 3
2.1.1. Valid Syntax in CFD-Post ........................................................................................................... 4
2.2. Starting CFD-Post from the Command Line ....................................................................................... 4
2.2.1. Optional Command Line Arguments ........................................................................................ 5
2.3. Setting CFD-Post Operation Through Environment Variables ............................................................. 7
2.4. Running in Batch Mode ..................................................................................................................... 9
2.4.1. Example: Pressure Calculation on Multiple Files using Batch Mode ............................................ 9
3. CFD-Post Graphical Interface ................................................................................................................ 13
3.1. Graphical Objects ........................................................................................................................... 14
3.1.1. Creating and Editing New Objects .......................................................................................... 14
3.1.2. Selecting Objects ................................................................................................................... 15
3.1.3. Object Visibility ...................................................................................................................... 15
3.2. Common Tree View Shortcuts ......................................................................................................... 16
3.3. Details Views .................................................................................................................................. 16
3.4. Outline Workspace .......................................................................................................................... 17
3.4.1. Outline Tree View Shortcuts .................................................................................................... 18
3.4.2. Outline Details View ............................................................................................................... 19
3.4.2.1. Geometry Tab ................................................................................................................ 19
3.4.2.1.1. Selecting Domains ................................................................................................ 19
3.4.2.2. Color Tab ....................................................................................................................... 19
3.4.2.2.1. Mode: Constant ..................................................................................................... 19
3.4.2.2.2. Mode: Variable and Use Plot Variable ..................................................................... 20
3.4.2.2.3. Range ................................................................................................................... 20
3.4.2.2.4. Hybrid/Conservative ............................................................................................. 20
3.4.2.2.5. Color Scale ............................................................................................................ 20
3.4.2.2.6. Color Map ............................................................................................................. 20
3.4.2.2.6.1. Accessing the CFD-Post Color Map Editor ...................................................... 21
3.4.2.2.7. Undefined Color ................................................................................................... 21
3.4.2.3. Symbol Tab .................................................................................................................... 21
3.4.2.3.1. Symbol ................................................................................................................. 21
3.4.2.3.2. Symbol size .......................................................................................................... 21
3.4.2.4. Render Tab .................................................................................................................... 22
3.4.2.4.1. Show Faces ........................................................................................................... 22
3.4.2.4.2. Show Faces: Transparency ..................................................................................... 22
3.4.2.4.3. Show Faces: Draw Mode ........................................................................................ 22
3.4.2.4.4. Show Faces: Face Culling ....................................................................................... 22
3.4.2.4.5. Show Faces: Lighting ............................................................................................. 24
3.4.2.4.6. Show Faces: Specular Lighting ............................................................................... 24
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3.4.2.4.7. Show Mesh Lines .................................................................................................. 24

3.4.2.4.8. Show Mesh Lines: Edge Angle ............................................................................... 24
3.4.2.4.9. Show Mesh Lines: Line Width ................................................................................. 24
3.4.2.4.10. Show Mesh Lines: Color Mode ............................................................................. 24
3.4.2.4.11. Show Mesh Lines: Line Color ................................................................................ 24
3.4.2.4.12. Apply Texture ...................................................................................................... 24
3.4.2.4.13. Apply Texture: Predefined Textures ...................................................................... 24
3.4.2.4.14. Apply Texture: Custom Textures ........................................................................... 25
3.4.2.4.15. Apply Texture: Texture Examples .......................................................................... 25
3.4.2.5. View Tab ........................................................................................................................ 26
3.4.2.5.1. Apply Rotation Check Box ..................................................................................... 26
3.4.2.5.1.1. Method, Axis, From, To .................................................................................. 26
3.4.2.5.1.2. Angle ........................................................................................................... 26
3.4.2.5.2. Apply Translation Check Box ................................................................................. 26
3.4.2.5.3. Apply Reflection/Mirroring Check Box ................................................................... 26
3.4.2.5.4. Apply Scale Check Box .......................................................................................... 26
3.4.2.5.5. Apply Instancing Transform Check Box .................................................................. 26
3.4.3. Case Branch ........................................................................................................................... 27
3.4.3.1. Domain Details View ...................................................................................................... 27
3.4.3.1.1. Instancing Tab ...................................................................................................... 27
3.4.3.1.2. Info Tab ................................................................................................................ 27
3.4.3.1.3. Data Instancing Tab .............................................................................................. 28
3.4.3.2. Boundary and Subdomain ............................................................................................. 30
3.4.3.3. Other Locations ............................................................................................................. 30
3.4.3.4. Spray ............................................................................................................................. 31
3.4.3.4.1. Spray: Geometry Tab ............................................................................................. 31
3.4.3.4.1.1. Domains ...................................................................................................... 31
3.4.3.4.1.2. Reduction Type ............................................................................................ 31
3.4.3.4.2. Spray: Color Tab .................................................................................................... 31
3.4.3.4.3. Spray: Symbol Tab ................................................................................................. 31
3.4.3.4.4. Spray: Render Tab .................................................................................................. 31
3.4.3.4.5. Spray: View Tab ..................................................................................................... 31
3.4.3.5. Mesh Regions ................................................................................................................ 31
3.4.4. User Locations and Plots ......................................................................................................... 32
3.4.4.1. Wireframe ..................................................................................................................... 32
3.4.4.1.1. Wireframe: Definition Tab ...................................................................................... 32
3.4.4.1.2. Wireframe: View Tab .............................................................................................. 33
3.4.5. Report ................................................................................................................................... 33
3.4.5.1. Omitting Default Report Sections .................................................................................. 36
3.4.5.2. Changing the Default Report Sections ........................................................................... 36
3.4.5.3. Adding New Sections to a Report ................................................................................... 37
3.4.5.4. Report Templates .......................................................................................................... 37
3.4.5.4.1. Turbo Report Templates ........................................................................................ 38
3.4.5.4.1.1. Procedures for Using Turbo Reports when Turbomachinery Data is Miss-
ing ............................................................................................................................... 41
3.4.5.4.2. Choosing a Turbo Report ....................................................................................... 42
3.4.5.5. Creating, Viewing, and Publishing Reports ...................................................................... 43
3.4.5.5.1. Report Object ....................................................................................................... 44
3.4.5.5.1.1. Figures: File Type .......................................................................................... 44
3.4.5.5.1.2. Figures: Figure Size ....................................................................................... 44
3.4.5.5.1.3. Figures: Width and Height ............................................................................. 44
3.4.5.5.1.4. Figures: Fit All Figures in the Viewport Before Generation Check Box .............. 44
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3.4.5.5.1.5. Charts: File Type ........................................................................................... 45

3.4.5.5.1.6. Charts: Chart Size ......................................................................................... 45
3.4.5.5.1.7. Charts: Width and Height .............................................................................. 45
3.4.5.5.2. Title Page Object ................................................................................................... 45
3.4.5.5.2.1. Custom Logo Check Box ............................................................................... 45
3.4.5.5.2.2. Custom Logo ............................................................................................... 45
3.4.5.5.2.3. ANSYS Logo Check Box ................................................................................. 45
3.4.5.5.2.4. Title ............................................................................................................. 45
3.4.5.5.2.5. Author ......................................................................................................... 45
3.4.5.5.2.6. Current Date Check Box ................................................................................ 45
3.4.5.5.2.7. Table of Contents Check Box ......................................................................... 45
3.4.5.5.2.8.Table of Contents Check Box: Captions in Table of Contents Check Box ........... 46
3.4.5.5.3. File Report Object ................................................................................................. 46
3.4.5.5.4. Mesh Report Object .............................................................................................. 46
3.4.5.5.5. Physics Report Object ........................................................................................... 46
3.4.5.5.6. Solution Report Object ......................................................................................... 46
3.4.5.5.7. Adding Objects to the Report ................................................................................ 46
3.4.5.5.8. Controlling the Content in the Report .................................................................... 47
3.4.5.5.9. Refreshing the Report ........................................................................................... 47
3.4.5.5.10. Viewing the Report ............................................................................................. 47
3.4.5.5.11. Publishing the Report ......................................................................................... 47
3.4.5.5.11.1. Format ....................................................................................................... 48
3.4.5.5.11.2. File ............................................................................................................. 48
3.4.5.5.11.3. Save Images in Separate Directory Check Box .............................................. 48
3.4.5.5.11.4. Generate CFD Viewer files (CVF) for Figures Check Box ................................ 48
3.4.5.5.11.5. More Options Button .................................................................................. 48
3.4.6. Display Properties and Defaults .............................................................................................. 48
3.5. Variables Workspace ....................................................................................................................... 49
3.5.1. Variables Tree View ................................................................................................................. 49
3.5.2. Variables Details View ............................................................................................................. 50
3.5.2.1. Fundamental Variables .................................................................................................. 51
3.5.2.1.1. Saving Variables Back to the Results File ................................................................ 51
3.5.2.2. Radius and Theta ........................................................................................................... 52
3.5.2.3. Boundary-Value-Only Variables ...................................................................................... 52
3.5.2.4. User Variables ................................................................................................................ 52
3.5.3. Variables: Example .................................................................................................................. 53
3.6. Expressions Workspace ................................................................................................................... 54
3.6.1. Expressions Tree View ............................................................................................................. 55
3.6.2. Expressions Workspace: Expressions Details View .................................................................... 56
3.6.2.1. Expression Definition Tab ............................................................................................... 56
3.6.2.2. Plot Expression Tab ........................................................................................................ 56
3.6.2.3. Evaluate Expression Tab ................................................................................................. 57
3.6.3. Expressions Workspace: Example ............................................................................................ 57
3.6.3.1. Further Expressions ....................................................................................................... 58
3.7. Calculators Workspace .................................................................................................................... 58
3.8. Turbo Workspace ............................................................................................................................ 58
4. CFD-Post in ANSYS Workbench ............................................................................................................. 59
4.1. The ANSYS Workbench Interface ..................................................................................................... 59
4.1.1. Toolbox .................................................................................................................................. 60
4.1.2. Project Schematic: Introduction .............................................................................................. 61
4.1.3. Workspace Tabs ...................................................................................................................... 62
4.1.4. View Bar ................................................................................................................................. 62
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4.1.5. Properties View ...................................................................................................................... 62

4.1.6. Files View ............................................................................................................................... 63
4.1.7. Sidebar Help .......................................................................................................................... 64
4.1.8. Shortcuts (Context Menu Options) .......................................................................................... 64
4.2. File Operation Differences ............................................................................................................... 64
4.3. An Introduction to Workflow within ANSYS CFX in ANSYS Workbench .............................................. 65
4.4. Using ANSYS Workbench Journaling and Scripting with CFD-Post .................................................... 68
4.4.1. Acquiring a Journal File with CFD-Post in ANSYS Workbench ................................................... 68
4.4.1.1. Journal of an Operation That Creates a Plane in CFD-Post ............................................... 68
4.4.2. Scripting ................................................................................................................................ 70
4.4.2.1. Example: Using a Script to Change an Existing Locator .................................................... 70
4.5. Tips on Using ANSYS Workbench ..................................................................................................... 70
4.5.1. General Tips ........................................................................................................................... 70
4.5.1.1. ANSYS Workbench Interface .......................................................................................... 70
4.5.1.2. Setting Units ................................................................................................................. 71
4.5.1.3. Files View ...................................................................................................................... 71
4.5.1.4. ANSYS Workbench Connections ..................................................................................... 71
4.5.2. Tips for Results Systems .......................................................................................................... 71
4.5.2.1. Changes in Behavior ...................................................................................................... 71
4.5.2.2. Duplicating Systems ...................................................................................................... 71
4.5.2.3. Renaming Systems ........................................................................................................ 71
4.5.2.4. Results Cell .................................................................................................................... 72
4.5.2.5. Recovering After Deleting Files ...................................................................................... 72
4.5.2.6. License Sharing ............................................................................................................. 72
4.6. Limitations When Using ANSYS CFD-Post in ANSYS Workbench ....................................................... 72
5. CFD-Post 3D Viewer .............................................................................................................................. 75
5.1. Object Visibility ............................................................................................................................... 75
5.2. 3D Viewer Modes and Commands ................................................................................................... 76
5.2.1. 3D Viewer Toolbar .................................................................................................................. 76
5.2.2. CFD-Post 3D Viewer Shortcut Menus ...................................................................................... 78
5.2.2.1. Shortcuts for CFD-Post (Viewer Background) .................................................................. 78
5.2.2.2. Shortcuts for CFD-Post (Viewer Object) .......................................................................... 79
5.2.3. Viewer Hotkeys ...................................................................................................................... 80
5.2.4. Mouse Button Mapping .......................................................................................................... 81
5.2.5. Picking Mode ......................................................................................................................... 82
5.2.5.1. Selecting Objects .......................................................................................................... 83
5.2.5.2. Moving Objects ............................................................................................................. 83
5.3. Views and Figures ........................................................................................................................... 83
5.3.1. Creating a Figure .................................................................................................................... 84
5.3.1.1. Copying Objects for Figures ........................................................................................... 84
5.3.2. Switching to a View or Figure .................................................................................................. 84
5.3.3. Changing the Definition of a View or Figure ............................................................................ 84
5.3.4. Deleting a Figure .................................................................................................................... 84
5.3.5. Views ..................................................................................................................................... 85
5.3.5.1. Object Visibility ............................................................................................................. 85
5.3.5.2. Legends ........................................................................................................................ 86
5.4. Stereo Viewer ................................................................................................................................. 86
6. CFD-Post Workflow ............................................................................................................................... 87
6.1. Loading and Viewing the Solver Results ........................................................................................... 87
6.2. Qualitative Displays of Variables ...................................................................................................... 87
6.3. Analysis .......................................................................................................................................... 88
6.4. Quantitative Analysis of Results ....................................................................................................... 88
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6.5. Sharing the Analysis ........................................................................................................................ 88

6.6. Typical Workflow ............................................................................................................................. 88
7. CFD-Post File Menu ............................................................................................................................... 91
7.1. Load Results Command .................................................................................................................. 91
7.2. Close Command ............................................................................................................................. 94
7.3. Load State Command ..................................................................................................................... 95
7.4. Save State Command and Save State As Command ......................................................................... 95
7.5. Save Project Command ................................................................................................................... 96
7.6. Refresh Command (ANSYS Workbench only) ................................................................................... 96
7.7. Import Commands .......................................................................................................................... 96
7.7.1. Import Surface or Line Data into CFD-Post .............................................................................. 96
7.7.2. Import Fluent Particle Track File .............................................................................................. 97
7.7.3. Import Mechanical CDB Surface ............................................................................................. 98
7.7.3.1. File ................................................................................................................................ 98
7.7.3.2. Length Units .................................................................................................................. 98
7.7.3.3. Specify Associated Boundary Check Box ......................................................................... 98
7.7.3.3.1. Boundary .............................................................................................................. 98
7.7.3.4. Maintain Conservative Heat Flows Check Box ................................................................. 98
7.7.3.5. Read Mid-Side Nodes Check Box .................................................................................... 98
7.7.3.6. Mapping Success Label .................................................................................................. 99
7.8. Export Commands .......................................................................................................................... 99
7.8.1. Export .................................................................................................................................... 99
7.8.1.1. Export: Options Tab ....................................................................................................... 99
7.8.1.1.1. File ....................................................................................................................... 99
7.8.1.1.2. Type ................................................................................................................... 100
7.8.1.1.3. Locations ............................................................................................................ 100
7.8.1.1.4. Name Aliases ...................................................................................................... 100
7.8.1.1.5. Coord Frame ....................................................................................................... 100
7.8.1.1.6. Unit System ........................................................................................................ 100
7.8.1.1.7. Boundary Vals ..................................................................................................... 101
7.8.1.1.8. Export Geometry Information Check Box ............................................................. 101
7.8.1.1.8.1. Line and Face Connectivity Check Box ......................................................... 101
7.8.1.1.8.2. Node Numbers Check Box .......................................................................... 101
7.8.1.1.9. Profile Type ......................................................................................................... 101
7.8.1.1.10. Spatial Fields List Box ........................................................................................ 101
7.8.1.1.11. Select Variable(s) List Box .................................................................................. 102
7.8.1.2. Export: Formatting Tab ................................................................................................. 102
7.8.1.2.1. Vector Variables .................................................................................................. 102
7.8.1.2.1.1. Vector Display Options ............................................................................... 102
7.8.1.2.1.2. Brackets ..................................................................................................... 102
7.8.1.2.2. Include Nodes With Undefined Variable Check Box .............................................. 102
7.8.1.2.2.1. Null Token .................................................................................................. 102
7.8.1.2.3. Precision ............................................................................................................. 102
7.8.1.2.4. Separator ............................................................................................................ 102
7.8.1.2.5. Include File Info Header Check Box ...................................................................... 103
7.8.1.2.6. Include Header Check Box ................................................................................... 103
7.8.1.3. Exporting Polyline Data ............................................................................................... 103
7.8.1.3.1. POLYLINE Data Format ........................................................................................ 103
7.8.1.4. Exporting Boundary Profile / Surface Data .................................................................... 104
7.8.1.4.1. USER SURFACE Data Format ................................................................................ 104
7.8.2. Export External Data File ....................................................................................................... 104
7.8.2.1. Options Tab ................................................................................................................. 105
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7.8.2.1.1. File ..................................................................................................................... 105

7.8.2.1.2. Location ............................................................................................................. 105
7.8.2.1.3. Unit System ........................................................................................................ 105
7.8.2.1.4. Boundary Data .................................................................................................... 105
7.8.2.1.5. Select Recommended Variables ........................................................................... 105
7.8.2.1.6. Select Additional Variables .................................................................................. 107
7.8.2.2. Formatting Tab ............................................................................................................ 107
7.8.3. Export Mechanical Load File ................................................................................................. 107
7.8.3.1. Options Tab ................................................................................................................. 108
7.8.3.1.1. File ..................................................................................................................... 108
7.8.3.1.2. Location ............................................................................................................. 108
7.8.3.1.3. Unit System ........................................................................................................ 108
7.8.3.1.4. Boundary Vals ..................................................................................................... 108
7.8.3.1.5. Export Data ......................................................................................................... 108
7.8.3.1.6. Fluids .................................................................................................................. 109
7.8.3.1.7. Specify Reference Temperature ........................................................................... 109
7.8.3.2. Formatting Tab ............................................................................................................ 110
7.9. Mechanical Import/Export Commands .......................................................................................... 110
7.9.1. Mechanical Import/Export Example: One-Way FSI Data Transfer ............................................. 110
7.10. FSI with Mechanical APDL and CFX: Manual One-way Mapping .................................................... 110
7.11. Report Command ....................................................................................................................... 112
7.12. Save Picture Command ............................................................................................................... 112
7.13. Loading Recently Accessed Files .................................................................................................. 115
7.14. Quit Command ........................................................................................................................... 115
7.15. File Types Used and Produced by CFD-Post .................................................................................. 115
7.15.1. Transient Blade Row Postprocessing ................................................................................... 115
7.15.2. ANSYS CFX Files .................................................................................................................. 116
7.15.2.1. Limitations with ANSYS CFX Files ............................................................................... 117
7.15.3. ANSYS Meshing Files .......................................................................................................... 118
7.15.4. CFX-4 Dump Files ............................................................................................................... 118
7.15.4.1. Limitation with CFX-4 Files ......................................................................................... 118
7.15.4.2. Interpolation of Results .............................................................................................. 118
7.15.5. CFX-TASCflow Results Files ................................................................................................. 119
7.15.5.1. Limitations with CFX-TASCflow Files ........................................................................... 119
7.15.5.2. Variable Translation .................................................................................................... 120
7.15.6. ANSYS Files ........................................................................................................................ 121
7.15.6.1. Limitations with ANSYS Files ...................................................................................... 121
7.15.7. ANSYS Icepak Files .............................................................................................................. 123
7.15.8. CGNS Files .......................................................................................................................... 123
7.15.9. Fluent Files ......................................................................................................................... 124
7.15.9.1. Limitations with Fluent Files ....................................................................................... 125
7.15.9.2. Quantitative Differences Between CFD-Post and Fluent .............................................. 130
7.15.10. Forte Files ......................................................................................................................... 132
8. CFD-Post Monitor Menu ...................................................................................................................... 133
8.1. Monitor Run in Progress ................................................................................................................ 133
8.2. Start Auto Update ......................................................................................................................... 133
8.3. Stop Auto Update ......................................................................................................................... 134
8.4. Update Once ................................................................................................................................ 134
9. CFD-Post Edit Menu and Options (Preferences) .................................................................................. 135
9.1. Undo and Redo ............................................................................................................................. 135
9.2. Setting Preferences with the Options Dialog .................................................................................. 136
9.2.1. CFD-Post Options ................................................................................................................. 136
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9.2.1.1. Interpolation Tolerance ................................................................................................ 137

9.2.1.2. Angular Shift for Transient Rotating Locations .............................................................. 137
9.2.1.3. Enable Beta Features .................................................................................................... 137
9.2.1.4. Files ............................................................................................................................. 137
9.2.1.5. CFD-Post Solution Units ............................................................................................... 139
9.2.1.6. Turbo .......................................................................................................................... 140
9.2.1.7. Viewer ......................................................................................................................... 140
9.2.1.7.1. Object Highlighting ............................................................................................ 140
9.2.1.7.2. Background ........................................................................................................ 140
9.2.1.7.2.1. Color .......................................................................................................... 140
9.2.1.7.2.2. Image ........................................................................................................ 140
9.2.1.7.3. Other Viewer Options .......................................................................................... 141
9.2.1.7.3.1. Text/Edge Color .......................................................................................... 141
9.2.1.7.3.2. Axis/Ruler Visibility ..................................................................................... 141
9.2.1.7.3.3. Hide ANSYS Logo ....................................................................................... 141
9.2.1.7.4. Stereo ................................................................................................................. 141
9.2.1.8. Advanced .................................................................................................................... 141
9.2.1.9. ANSYS Import: Read 3D elements when CDB file has both 2D and 3D types ................... 141
9.2.2. Common Options ................................................................................................................. 141
9.2.2.1. Appearance ................................................................................................................. 142
9.2.2.2. Viewer Setup ............................................................................................................... 142
9.2.2.2.1. Mouse Mapping .................................................................................................. 142
9.2.2.3. Setting the Display Units .............................................................................................. 142
10. CFD-Post Session Menu ..................................................................................................................... 145
10.1. New Session Command ............................................................................................................... 145
10.2. Start Recording and Stop Recording Commands .......................................................................... 146
10.3. Play Session Command ............................................................................................................... 146
11. CFD-Post Insert Menu ....................................................................................................................... 147
11.1. Location Submenu ...................................................................................................................... 148
11.1.1. Point Command ................................................................................................................. 148
11.1.1.1. Point: Geometry ......................................................................................................... 149
11.1.1.1.1. Domains ........................................................................................................... 149
11.1.1.1.2. Definition ......................................................................................................... 149
11.1.1.1.2.1. Method .................................................................................................... 149
11.1.1.1.2.2. Point ........................................................................................................ 150
11.1.1.1.2.3. Node Number .......................................................................................... 150
11.1.1.1.2.4. Location ................................................................................................... 150
11.1.1.1.2.5. Variable .................................................................................................... 150
11.1.1.1.3. Nearest Node Value ........................................................................................... 150
11.1.1.2. Point: Color ................................................................................................................ 151
11.1.1.3. Point: Symbol ............................................................................................................. 151
11.1.1.3.1. Symbol ............................................................................................................. 151
11.1.1.3.2. Symbol Size ...................................................................................................... 151
11.1.1.4. Point: Render ............................................................................................................. 151
11.1.1.5. Point: View ................................................................................................................. 151
11.1.2. Point Cloud Command ....................................................................................................... 151
11.1.2.1. Point Cloud: Geometry ............................................................................................... 152
11.1.2.1.1. Domains ........................................................................................................... 152
11.1.2.1.2. Definition ......................................................................................................... 152
11.1.2.1.2.1. Locations ................................................................................................. 152
11.1.2.1.2.2. Sampling .................................................................................................. 152
11.1.2.1.2.3. # of Points ................................................................................................ 153
of ANSYS, Inc. and its subsidiaries and affiliates. ix
User's Guide
11.1.2.1.2.4. Spacing .................................................................................................... 153

11.1.2.1.2.5. Aspect Ratio ............................................................................................. 153
11.1.2.1.2.6. Grid Angle ................................................................................................ 153
11.1.2.1.2.7. Reduction ................................................................................................ 153
11.1.2.1.2.8. Max Points ............................................................................................... 153
11.1.2.1.2.9. Factor ....................................................................................................... 153
11.1.2.1.2.10. Seed ....................................................................................................... 154
11.1.2.2. Point Cloud: Color ...................................................................................................... 154
11.1.2.3. Point Cloud: Symbol ................................................................................................... 154
11.1.2.4. Point Cloud: Render ................................................................................................... 154
11.1.2.5. Point Cloud: View ....................................................................................................... 154
11.1.3. Line Command ................................................................................................................... 154
11.1.3.1. Line: Geometry .......................................................................................................... 155
11.1.3.1.1. Domains ........................................................................................................... 155
11.1.3.1.2. Definition ......................................................................................................... 155
11.1.3.1.2.1. Method .................................................................................................... 155
11.1.3.1.2.2. Point 1 ..................................................................................................... 155
11.1.3.1.2.3. Point 2 ..................................................................................................... 155
11.1.3.1.3. Line Type .......................................................................................................... 155
11.1.3.1.3.1. Cut/Sample Options ................................................................................. 155
11.1.3.1.3.2. Samples ................................................................................................... 155
11.1.3.1.4. Line Translation Using Picking Mode .................................................................. 155
11.1.3.2. Line: Color ................................................................................................................. 156
11.1.3.3. Line: Render ............................................................................................................... 156
11.1.3.4. Line: View .................................................................................................................. 156
11.1.4. Plane Command ................................................................................................................. 156
11.1.4.1. Plane: Geometry ........................................................................................................ 156
11.1.4.1.1. Domains ........................................................................................................... 156
11.1.4.1.2. Definition ......................................................................................................... 156
11.1.4.1.2.1. Method .................................................................................................... 156
11.1.4.1.2.2. X .............................................................................................................. 157
11.1.4.1.2.3. Y .............................................................................................................. 157
11.1.4.1.2.4. Z .............................................................................................................. 157
11.1.4.1.2.5. Point ........................................................................................................ 157
11.1.4.1.2.6. Normal ..................................................................................................... 157
11.1.4.1.2.7. Point 1, Point 2, and Point 3 ....................................................................... 157
11.1.4.1.3. Plane Bounds .................................................................................................... 158
11.1.4.1.3.1. Type ......................................................................................................... 158
11.1.4.1.3.2. Radius ...................................................................................................... 158
11.1.4.1.3.3. X/Y/Z Size ................................................................................................. 158
11.1.4.1.3.4. X/Y/Z Angle .............................................................................................. 159
11.1.4.1.3.5. Invert Plane Bound Check Box .................................................................. 159
11.1.4.1.4. Plane Type ........................................................................................................ 159
11.1.4.1.4.1. Slice Option .............................................................................................. 159
11.1.4.1.4.2. Sample Option ......................................................................................... 159
11.1.4.1.5. Plane Translation using Picking Mode ................................................................ 159
11.1.4.2. Plane: Color ............................................................................................................... 159
11.1.4.3. Plane: Render ............................................................................................................. 160
11.1.4.4. Plane: View ................................................................................................................ 160
11.1.5. Volume Command .............................................................................................................. 160
11.1.5.1. Volume: Geometry ..................................................................................................... 160
11.1.5.1.1. Domains ........................................................................................................... 160
x of ANSYS, Inc. and its subsidiaries and affiliates.
User's Guide
11.1.5.1.2. Element Types ................................................................................................... 160

11.1.5.1.3. Definition ......................................................................................................... 161
11.1.5.1.3.1. Method .................................................................................................... 161
11.1.5.1.3.2. Point ........................................................................................................ 161
11.1.5.1.3.3. Radius ...................................................................................................... 161
11.1.5.1.3.4. Location ................................................................................................... 161
11.1.5.1.3.5. Variable .................................................................................................... 161
11.1.5.1.3.6. Hybrid/Conservative Options .................................................................... 161
11.1.5.1.3.7. Mode (for the Sphere and From Surface options) ....................................... 162
11.1.5.1.3.8. Mode (for the Isovolume option) ............................................................... 162
11.1.5.1.3.9. Value Fields .............................................................................................. 162
11.1.5.1.4. Inclusive Check Box ........................................................................................... 162
11.1.5.1.5. How CFD-Post Calculates Isovolumes ................................................................. 162
11.1.5.2. Volume: Color ............................................................................................................ 164
11.1.5.3. Volume: Render .......................................................................................................... 164
11.1.5.4. Volume: View ............................................................................................................. 164
11.1.6. Isosurface Command .......................................................................................................... 164
11.1.6.1. Isosurface: Geometry ................................................................................................. 165
11.1.6.1.1. Domains ........................................................................................................... 165
11.1.6.1.2. Definition ......................................................................................................... 165
11.1.6.1.2.1. Variable .................................................................................................... 165
11.1.6.1.2.2. Hybrid/Conservative Option ..................................................................... 166
11.1.6.1.2.3. Value ........................................................................................................ 166
11.1.6.2. Isosurface: Color ........................................................................................................ 166
11.1.6.3. Isosurface: Render ...................................................................................................... 166
11.1.6.4. Isosurface: View ......................................................................................................... 166
11.1.7. Iso Clip Command .............................................................................................................. 166
11.1.7.1. Iso Clip: Geometry ...................................................................................................... 167
11.1.7.1.1. Domains ........................................................................................................... 167
11.1.7.1.2. Location ............................................................................................................ 167
11.1.7.1.3. Visibility Parameters .......................................................................................... 167
11.1.7.2. Iso Clip: Color ............................................................................................................. 167
11.1.7.3. Iso Clip: Render .......................................................................................................... 167
11.1.7.4. Iso Clip: View .............................................................................................................. 167
11.1.8. Vortex Core Region ............................................................................................................. 168
11.1.8.1. Vortex Core Region: Geometry ................................................................................... 168
11.1.8.1.1. Domains ........................................................................................................... 168
11.1.8.1.2. Definition Area .................................................................................................. 168
11.1.8.1.2.1. Method .................................................................................................... 168
11.1.8.1.2.1.1. Vortex Core Mathematics ................................................................. 169
11.1.8.1.2.1.2. Vortex Core References .................................................................... 172
11.1.8.1.2.2. Level ........................................................................................................ 173
11.1.8.1.2.3. Actual Value ............................................................................................. 173
11.1.8.2. Vortex Core Region: Color ........................................................................................... 174
11.1.8.3. Vortex Core Region: Render ........................................................................................ 174
11.1.8.4. Vortex Core Region: View ........................................................................................... 174
11.1.9. Surface of Revolution Command ......................................................................................... 174
11.1.9.1. Surface of Revolution: Geometry ................................................................................ 174
11.1.9.1.1. Domains ........................................................................................................... 174
11.1.9.1.2. Definition ......................................................................................................... 175
11.1.9.1.2.1. Method .................................................................................................... 175
11.1.9.1.2.2. Point 1 (a,r) and Point 2 (a,r) ...................................................................... 175
of ANSYS, Inc. and its subsidiaries and affiliates. xi
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11.1.9.1.2.3. Line .......................................................................................................... 175

11.1.9.1.2.4. # of Samples ............................................................................................. 176
11.1.9.1.2.5. Theta Samples .......................................................................................... 176
11.1.9.1.2.6. Project to AR Plane Check Box ................................................................... 176
11.1.9.1.3. Rotation Axis ..................................................................................................... 176
11.1.9.1.3.1. Method .................................................................................................... 176
11.1.9.1.3.2. Axis .......................................................................................................... 176
11.1.9.1.3.3. From/To Text Boxes ................................................................................... 176
11.1.9.1.4. Angle Range Check Box ..................................................................................... 176
11.1.9.1.4.1. Min./Max. Angle ....................................................................................... 176
11.1.9.1.5. Axial/Radial Offset ............................................................................................. 176
11.1.9.1.5.1. Start/End A ............................................................................................... 176
11.1.9.1.5.2. Start/End R ............................................................................................... 177
11.1.9.2. Surface of Revolution: Color ....................................................................................... 177
11.1.9.3. Surface of Revolution: Render .................................................................................... 177
11.1.9.4. Surface of Revolution: View ........................................................................................ 177
11.1.10. Polyline Command ........................................................................................................... 177
11.1.10.1. Polyline: Geometry ................................................................................................... 178
11.1.10.1.1. Method ........................................................................................................... 178
11.1.10.1.2. File .................................................................................................................. 178
11.1.10.1.3. Domains ......................................................................................................... 179
11.1.10.1.4. Boundary List .................................................................................................. 179
11.1.10.1.5. Intersect With .................................................................................................. 179
11.1.10.1.6. Contour Name ................................................................................................ 179
11.1.10.1.7. Contour Level .................................................................................................. 179
11.1.10.2. Polyline: Color .......................................................................................................... 179
11.1.10.3. Polyline: Render ....................................................................................................... 179
11.1.10.4. Polyline: View ........................................................................................................... 179
11.1.11. User Surface Command .................................................................................................... 180
11.1.11.1. User Surface: Geometry ............................................................................................ 180
11.1.11.1.1. Method ........................................................................................................... 180
11.1.11.1.2. File .................................................................................................................. 182
11.1.11.1.3. Domains/Boundary List/Intersect With ............................................................. 182
11.1.11.1.4. Contour Name/Contour Level .......................................................................... 182
11.1.11.1.5. Surface Name .................................................................................................. 182
11.1.11.1.6. Rotation Check Box ......................................................................................... 182
11.1.11.1.7. Translation Check Box ...................................................................................... 182
11.1.11.1.8. Scale Check Box .............................................................................................. 182
11.1.11.1.9. Type ................................................................................................................ 182
11.1.11.1.10. Mode ............................................................................................................ 183
11.1.11.1.11. Distance ........................................................................................................ 183
11.1.11.1.12. Variable ......................................................................................................... 183
11.1.11.1.13. Direction ....................................................................................................... 184
11.1.11.1.14. Specify Associated Boundary Check Box ........................................................ 184
11.1.11.1.15. Length Units ................................................................................................. 184
11.1.11.2. User Surface: Color ................................................................................................... 184
11.1.11.3. User Surface: Render ................................................................................................ 184
11.1.11.4. User Surface: View .................................................................................................... 184
11.1.12. Surface Group Command ................................................................................................. 184
11.1.12.1. Surface Group: Geometry ......................................................................................... 185
11.1.12.1.1. Domains ......................................................................................................... 185
11.1.12.1.2. Locations ........................................................................................................ 185
xii of ANSYS, Inc. and its subsidiaries and affiliates.
User's Guide
11.1.12.2. Surface Group: Color ................................................................................................ 185

11.1.12.3. Surface Group: Render ............................................................................................. 185
11.1.12.4. Surface Group: View ................................................................................................. 185
11.1.13. Turbo Surface Command .................................................................................................. 185
11.1.14. Turbo Line Command ....................................................................................................... 186
11.2. Vector Command ........................................................................................................................ 186
11.2.1. Vector: Geometry ................................................................................................................ 187
11.2.1.1. Domains .................................................................................................................... 187
11.2.1.2. Definition .................................................................................................................. 187
11.2.1.2.1. Locations .......................................................................................................... 187
11.2.1.2.2. Sampling .......................................................................................................... 187
11.2.1.2.3. Variable ............................................................................................................. 187
11.2.1.2.4. Hybrid/Conservative Options ............................................................................ 187
11.2.1.2.5. Projection ......................................................................................................... 187
11.2.1.2.6. Direction ........................................................................................................... 188
11.2.2. Vector: Color ....................................................................................................................... 188
11.2.3. Vector: Symbol ................................................................................................................... 188
11.2.3.1. Symbol ...................................................................................................................... 188
11.2.3.2. Symbol Size ............................................................................................................... 188
11.2.3.3. Normalize Symbols Check Box ................................................................................... 189
11.2.4. Vector: Render .................................................................................................................... 189
11.2.5. Vector: View ........................................................................................................................ 189
11.3. Contour Command ..................................................................................................................... 189
11.3.1. Contour: Geometry ............................................................................................................. 189
11.3.1.1. Domains .................................................................................................................... 189
11.3.1.2. Locations ................................................................................................................... 189
11.3.1.3. Variable ..................................................................................................................... 190
11.3.1.4. Range ........................................................................................................................ 190
11.3.1.5. Variable Location: Vertex and Face Options ................................................................. 190
11.3.1.6. Boundary Data: Hybrid and Conservative Options ....................................................... 191
11.3.1.7. Color Scale ................................................................................................................ 191
11.3.1.8. Color Map .................................................................................................................. 191
11.3.1.9. # of Contours ............................................................................................................. 191
11.3.1.10. Clip to Range Check Box ........................................................................................... 192
11.3.2. Contour: Labels .................................................................................................................. 192
11.3.2.1. Show Numbers Check Box ......................................................................................... 192
11.3.2.1.1. Text Height ....................................................................................................... 192
11.3.2.1.2. Text Font ........................................................................................................... 192
11.3.2.1.3. Color Mode ....................................................................................................... 192
11.3.2.1.4. Text Color .......................................................................................................... 192
11.3.3. Contour: Render ................................................................................................................. 192
11.3.4. Contour: View ..................................................................................................................... 192
11.4. Streamline Command ................................................................................................................. 193
11.4.1. Streamline: Geometry ......................................................................................................... 194
11.4.1.1. Type .......................................................................................................................... 194
11.4.1.2. Definition .................................................................................................................. 194
11.4.1.2.1. Domains ........................................................................................................... 194
11.4.1.2.2. Start From (3D Streamline) ................................................................................ 194
11.4.1.2.3. Surfaces ............................................................................................................ 194
11.4.1.2.4. Start From (Surface Streamline) ......................................................................... 194
11.4.1.2.5. Locations .......................................................................................................... 194
11.4.1.2.6. Sampling .......................................................................................................... 194
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11.4.1.2.7. Preview Seeds Button ........................................................................................ 195

11.4.1.2.8. Variable ............................................................................................................. 195
11.4.1.2.9. Hybrid/Conservative Options ............................................................................ 195
11.4.1.2.10. Direction ......................................................................................................... 195
11.4.1.3. Cross Periodics Check Box .......................................................................................... 195
11.4.1.4. Simplify Streamline Geometry Check Box ................................................................... 195
11.4.2. Streamline: Color ................................................................................................................ 196
11.4.3. Streamline: Symbol ............................................................................................................. 196
11.4.3.1. Show Symbols Check Box ........................................................................................... 196
11.4.3.1.1. Min Time ........................................................................................................... 196
11.4.3.1.2. Max Time .......................................................................................................... 196
11.4.3.1.3. Interval ............................................................................................................. 196
11.4.3.1.4. Symbol ............................................................................................................. 196
11.4.3.1.5. Symbol Size ...................................................................................................... 196
11.4.3.2. Show Streams Check Box ........................................................................................... 196
11.4.3.2.1. Stream Type ...................................................................................................... 196
11.4.3.2.2. Line Width/Tube Width/Ribbon Width ............................................................... 197
11.4.3.2.3. # of Sides .......................................................................................................... 197
11.4.3.2.4. Initial Direction ................................................................................................. 197
11.4.4. Streamline: Limits ............................................................................................................... 197
11.4.4.1. Step Tolerance ........................................................................................................... 197
11.4.4.1.1. Mode ................................................................................................................ 197
11.4.4.1.2. Tolerance .......................................................................................................... 197
11.4.4.2. Upper Limits .............................................................................................................. 198
11.4.4.2.1. Max Segments .................................................................................................. 198
11.4.4.2.2. Max Time .......................................................................................................... 198
11.4.4.2.3. Max Periods ...................................................................................................... 198
11.4.5. Streamline: Render ............................................................................................................. 198
11.4.6. Streamline: View ................................................................................................................. 198
11.5. Particle Track Command .............................................................................................................. 198
11.5.1. Particle Track: Geometry ..................................................................................................... 199
11.5.1.1. Method ..................................................................................................................... 199
11.5.1.1.1. Domains ........................................................................................................... 199
11.5.1.1.2. Material ............................................................................................................ 199
11.5.1.2. File ............................................................................................................................ 200
11.5.1.3. Injections .................................................................................................................. 200
11.5.1.4. Reduction Type .......................................................................................................... 200
11.5.1.4.1. Reduction ......................................................................................................... 200
11.5.1.4.2. Max Tracks ........................................................................................................ 200
11.5.1.5. Limits Option ............................................................................................................. 200
11.5.1.5.1. Limit Type and Start/End <variable> .................................................................. 201
11.5.1.6. Filter Check Box ......................................................................................................... 201
11.5.1.6.1. Start/End Region Check Boxes ........................................................................... 201
11.5.1.6.2. Diameter Check Box .......................................................................................... 201
11.5.1.6.3. Track Check Box ................................................................................................ 201
11.5.1.6.4. Match ALL/Match ANY Options ......................................................................... 201
11.5.2. Particle Track: Color ............................................................................................................. 201
11.5.3. Particle Track: Symbol ......................................................................................................... 202
11.5.3.1. Show Symbols Check Box ........................................................................................... 202
11.5.3.1.1. Max Time is ....................................................................................................... 202
11.5.3.2. Show Tracks Check Box .............................................................................................. 202
11.5.3.3. Show Track Numbers Check Box ................................................................................. 202
xiv of ANSYS, Inc. and its subsidiaries and affiliates.
User's Guide
11.5.4. Particle Track: Render .......................................................................................................... 203

11.5.5. Particle Track: View ............................................................................................................. 203
11.5.6. Particle Track: Info ............................................................................................................... 203
11.6. Volume Rendering Command ...................................................................................................... 203
11.6.1. Volume Rendering: Geometry ............................................................................................. 204
11.6.2. Volume Rendering: Color .................................................................................................... 205
11.6.3. Volume Rendering: Render ................................................................................................. 205
11.6.4. Volume Rendering: View ..................................................................................................... 205
11.7. Text Command ............................................................................................................................ 206
11.7.1. Text: Definition ................................................................................................................... 206
11.7.1.1. Text String ................................................................................................................. 206
11.7.1.2. Embed Auto Annotation Check Box ............................................................................ 206
11.7.1.2.1. Type .................................................................................................................. 206
11.7.1.2.2. Expression ........................................................................................................ 207
11.7.1.2.3. Format (for Filename option) ............................................................................. 207
11.7.1.2.4. Format (for the File Date and File Time options) ................................................. 207
11.7.1.2.5. Determine the number formatting automatically Check Box .............................. 207
11.7.1.3. More/Fewer Buttons .................................................................................................. 207
11.7.2. Text: Location ..................................................................................................................... 207
11.7.2.1. Location .................................................................................................................... 207
11.7.2.1.1. Position Mode ................................................................................................... 207
11.7.2.1.2. X Justification ................................................................................................... 207
11.7.2.1.3. Y Justification .................................................................................................... 208
11.7.2.1.4. Position (for Two Coords option) ........................................................................ 208
11.7.2.1.5. Position (for Three Coords option) ..................................................................... 208
11.7.2.1.6. Rotation ............................................................................................................ 208
11.7.3. Text: Appearance ................................................................................................................ 208
11.7.3.1. Height ....................................................................................................................... 208
11.7.3.2. Color Mode ................................................................................................................ 208
11.7.3.3. Font .......................................................................................................................... 208
11.8. Coordinate Frame Command ...................................................................................................... 208
11.8.1. Coordinate Frame: Definition .............................................................................................. 209
11.8.1.1. Type .......................................................................................................................... 209
11.8.1.2. Origin ........................................................................................................................ 209
11.8.1.3. Z Axis Point ................................................................................................................ 209
11.8.1.4. X-Z Plane Pt ............................................................................................................... 209
11.8.1.5. Symbol Size ............................................................................................................... 209
11.8.1.6. Coordinate Frame Details ........................................................................................... 209
11.9. Legend Command ...................................................................................................................... 210
11.9.1. Default Legends ................................................................................................................. 211
11.9.2. User-defined Legends ......................................................................................................... 211
11.9.3. Legend: Definition Tab ........................................................................................................ 211
11.9.3.1. Plot ........................................................................................................................... 211
11.9.3.2. Title Mode ................................................................................................................. 211
11.9.3.3. Title ........................................................................................................................... 211
11.9.3.4. Show Legend Units Check Box ................................................................................... 212
11.9.3.5. Vertical / Horizontal Options ...................................................................................... 212
11.9.3.6. Location .................................................................................................................... 212
11.9.3.6.1. X Justification ................................................................................................... 212
11.9.3.6.2. Y Justification .................................................................................................... 212
11.9.3.6.3. Position ............................................................................................................ 212
11.9.4. Legend: Appearance Tab ..................................................................................................... 213
of ANSYS, Inc. and its subsidiaries and affiliates. xv
User's Guide
11.9.4.1. Sizing Parameters ...................................................................................................... 213

11.9.4.1.1. Size ................................................................................................................... 213
11.9.4.1.2. Aspect .............................................................................................................. 213
11.9.4.2. Text Parameters ......................................................................................................... 213
11.9.4.2.1. Precision ........................................................................................................... 213
11.9.4.2.2. Value Ticks ........................................................................................................ 213
11.9.4.2.3. Font .................................................................................................................. 213
11.9.4.2.4. Color Mode ....................................................................................................... 213
11.9.4.2.5. Color ................................................................................................................. 213
11.9.4.2.6. Text Rotation ..................................................................................................... 213
11.9.4.2.7. Text Height ....................................................................................................... 213
11.10. Instance Transform Command ................................................................................................... 214
11.10.1. Default Transform Object .................................................................................................. 214
11.10.2. Instance Transform: Definition Tab ..................................................................................... 214
11.10.2.1. Instancing Info From Domain Check Box ................................................................... 214
11.10.2.2. Number of Graphical Instances ................................................................................. 215
11.10.2.3. Apply Rotation Check Box ........................................................................................ 215
11.10.2.3.1. Method ........................................................................................................... 215
11.10.2.3.2. Axis ................................................................................................................. 215
11.10.2.3.3. From/To Fields ................................................................................................ 215
11.10.2.3.4. Full Circle Check Box ........................................................................................ 215
11.10.2.3.5. Determine Angle From .................................................................................... 215
11.10.2.3.6. Number of Passages ........................................................................................ 215
11.10.2.3.7. Passages per Component ................................................................................ 216
11.10.2.3.8. Angle .............................................................................................................. 216
11.10.2.4. Apply Translation Check Box .................................................................................... 216
11.10.2.4.1. Translation ...................................................................................................... 216
11.10.2.5. Apply Reflection Check Box ...................................................................................... 216
11.10.2.5.1. Method ........................................................................................................... 216
11.10.2.5.2. X/Y/Z .............................................................................................................. 216
11.10.2.5.3. Plane .............................................................................................................. 216
11.10.3. Instance Transform: Example ............................................................................................. 216
11.11. Clip Plane Command ................................................................................................................. 218
11.11.1. Clip Plane: Geometry ........................................................................................................ 219
11.11.1.1. Definition ................................................................................................................ 219
11.11.1.1.1. Method ........................................................................................................... 219
11.11.1.1.2. Slice Plane ....................................................................................................... 219
11.11.1.2. Flip Normal Check Box ............................................................................................. 219
11.12. Color Map Command ................................................................................................................ 219
11.13. Variable Command .................................................................................................................... 221
11.14. Expression Command ............................................................................................................... 221
11.15. Table Command ........................................................................................................................ 221
11.15.1. Editing in the Table Viewer ................................................................................................ 222
11.15.1.1. Shortcut Menu ......................................................................................................... 222
11.15.1.2. Expressions .............................................................................................................. 224
11.16. Chart Command ....................................................................................................................... 226
11.16.1. Creating a Chart Object .................................................................................................... 227
11.16.1.1. Chart Details: General Tab ......................................................................................... 227
11.16.1.1.1. Type ................................................................................................................ 228
11.16.1.1.2. Display Title: Title ............................................................................................. 228
11.16.1.1.3. Report: Caption ............................................................................................... 228
11.16.1.1.4. Fast Fourier Transform ..................................................................................... 228
xvi of ANSYS, Inc. and its subsidiaries and affiliates.
User's Guide
11.16.1.1.4.1. Fast Fourier Transform (FFT) Theory ......................................................... 229

11.16.1.1.4.1.1. Windowing in Fast Fourier Transforms ............................................ 229
11.16.1.1.4.1.2. Using Fast Fourier Transforms ......................................................... 230
11.16.1.1.5. Refresh Settings .............................................................................................. 231
11.16.1.2. Chart Details: Data Series Tab ................................................................................... 231
11.16.1.2.1. Name Controls ................................................................................................ 231
11.16.1.2.2. Data Source .................................................................................................... 232
11.16.1.2.2.1. Data Source File Format .......................................................................... 232
11.16.1.2.3. File Variable Selection ...................................................................................... 233
11.16.1.2.4. Custom Data Selection Controls ....................................................................... 233
11.16.1.2.5. Monitor Variable Selection ............................................................................... 234
11.16.1.3. Chart Details: X Axis Tab ........................................................................................... 234
11.16.1.3.1. X Axis Data Selection ....................................................................................... 234
11.16.1.3.1.1. Specifying an X Function ........................................................................ 235
11.16.1.3.2. Category Divisions .......................................................................................... 236
11.16.1.3.3. Axis Range ...................................................................................................... 236
11.16.1.3.4. Axis Number Formatting ................................................................................. 236
11.16.1.3.5. Axis Labels ...................................................................................................... 237
11.16.1.4. Chart Details: Y Axis Tab ............................................................................................ 237
11.16.1.4.1.Y Axis: Data Selection ....................................................................................... 237
11.16.1.5. Chart Details: Line Display Tab .................................................................................. 240
11.16.1.5.1. Line Type and FFT Line Type Options ............................................................... 240
11.16.1.5.2. Fill Area Controls ............................................................................................. 243
11.16.1.6. Chart Details: Chart Display Tab ................................................................................ 243
11.16.1.6.1. Display Legend Area ........................................................................................ 244
11.16.1.6.2. Sizes Area ........................................................................................................ 244
11.16.1.6.3. Fonts Area ....................................................................................................... 244
11.16.1.6.4. Grid Area ......................................................................................................... 244
11.16.2. Viewing a Chart ................................................................................................................ 244
11.16.3. Example: Charting a Velocity Profile ................................................................................... 245
11.16.4. Example: Comparing Differences Between Two Files .......................................................... 246
11.17. Comment Command ................................................................................................................. 247
11.18. Figure Command ...................................................................................................................... 247
12. CFD-Post Tools Menu ......................................................................................................................... 249
12.1. Timestep Selector ....................................................................................................................... 249
12.1.1. Adding Timesteps .............................................................................................................. 251
12.1.2. Using the Timestep Selector with Transient Blade Row Cases ............................................... 251
12.1.3. Multiple Files ...................................................................................................................... 253
12.2. Animation ................................................................................................................................... 253
12.2.1. Quick Animation ................................................................................................................ 254
12.2.1.1. Animating Planes ....................................................................................................... 254
12.2.1.2. Animating Isosurfaces ................................................................................................ 255
12.2.1.3. Animating Turbo Surfaces .......................................................................................... 255
12.2.1.4. Animating Streamlines and Particle Tracks .................................................................. 255
12.2.1.5. Animating Timesteps ................................................................................................. 255
12.2.1.6. Animating Mesh Deformation Scaling ........................................................................ 255
12.2.2. Timestep Animation ........................................................................................................... 256
12.2.3. Keyframe Animation ........................................................................................................... 257
12.2.3.1. Creating an Animation ............................................................................................... 257
12.2.3.2. Animating Expressions ............................................................................................... 258
12.2.4. Animation Dialog Box ......................................................................................................... 258
12.2.4.1. Animation Options Dialog Box ................................................................................... 259
of ANSYS, Inc. and its subsidiaries and affiliates. xvii
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12.2.4.1.1. Animation Speed .............................................................................................. 259

12.2.4.1.2. Transient Case ................................................................................................... 260
12.2.4.1.3. Print Options ..................................................................................................... 260
12.2.4.1.3.1. Image Format ........................................................................................... 260
12.2.4.1.3.2. Use Screen Capture .................................................................................. 260
12.2.4.1.3.3. White Background .................................................................................... 260
12.2.4.1.3.4. Enhanced Output (Smooth Edges) ............................................................ 260
12.2.4.1.3.5. Image Size ................................................................................................ 260
12.2.4.1.3.6. Tolerance ................................................................................................. 260
12.2.4.1.4. Advanced Tab ................................................................................................... 260
12.2.4.1.4.1. Save Frames As Image Files ....................................................................... 260
12.2.4.1.4.2. Output To User Directory .......................................................................... 261
12.2.4.1.4.3. Frame Rate ............................................................................................... 261
12.2.4.1.4.4. Quality ..................................................................................................... 261
12.2.4.1.4.5. Don't Encode Last MPEG Frame ................................................................ 261
12.2.4.2. Saving an Animation .................................................................................................. 261
12.2.4.3. Saving the Animation State (*.can file) ........................................................................ 261
12.3. Quick Editor ................................................................................................................................ 262
12.4. Probe .......................................................................................................................................... 262
12.5. Function Calculator ..................................................................................................................... 263
12.5.1. Function Selection .............................................................................................................. 264
12.6. Macro Calculator ......................................................................................................................... 266
12.6.1. Running Macros from the Macro Calculator ......................................................................... 267
12.6.2. Macro Availability ............................................................................................................... 268
12.6.3. Predefined Macros .............................................................................................................. 268
12.6.3.1. Comfort Factors Macro ............................................................................................... 268
12.6.3.2. Cp Polar Plot Macro .................................................................................................... 269
12.6.3.3. Gas Compressor Performance Macro .......................................................................... 270
12.6.3.4. Gas Turbine Performance Macro ................................................................................. 271
12.6.3.5. Liquid Pump Performance Macro ............................................................................... 272
12.6.3.6. Liquid Turbine Performance Macro ............................................................................. 273
12.6.3.7. Fan Noise Macro ........................................................................................................ 274
12.6.3.7.1. Using the Fan Noise Macro ................................................................................ 276
12.6.3.7.1.1. Fan Noise Theory in Brief ........................................................................... 276
12.6.3.7.1.2. Fan Noise Macro Input .............................................................................. 279
12.6.3.7.1.3. Fan Noise Output (Reports) ....................................................................... 279
12.6.3.7.1.4. Fan Noise Examples .................................................................................. 280
12.6.4. User-defined Macros .......................................................................................................... 281
12.6.4.1. Writing a Macro ......................................................................................................... 281
12.6.4.2. Macro GUI Definition ................................................................................................. 283
12.7. Mesh Calculator .......................................................................................................................... 286
12.7.1. Mesh Visualization Advice ................................................................................................... 287
12.8. Case Comparison ........................................................................................................................ 288
12.8.1. Calculating Difference Variables .......................................................................................... 291
12.9. Command Editor ......................................................................................................................... 291
13. Turbo Workspace ............................................................................................................................... 293
13.1. Visual Representation of Initialization Status ................................................................................ 294
13.2. Define/Modify Global Rotation Axis ............................................................................................. 294
13.3. Turbo Initialization ...................................................................................................................... 294
13.3.1. Requirements for Initialization ............................................................................................ 295
13.3.2. Initialize All Components .................................................................................................... 295
13.3.3. Uninitializing Components ................................................................................................. 296
xviii of ANSYS, Inc. and its subsidiaries and affiliates.
User's Guide
13.3.4. Individual Component Initialization (Advanced Feature) ...................................................... 296

13.3.5. Details View for Individual Component Initialization ............................................................ 296
13.3.5.1. Definition Tab ............................................................................................................ 296
13.3.5.1.1. Turbo Regions Frame ......................................................................................... 297
13.3.5.1.2. Background Mesh Frame ................................................................................... 297
13.3.5.1.2.1. Purpose of Background Mesh ................................................................... 297
13.3.5.1.2.2. Requirements for Setting Up a Background Mesh ...................................... 297
13.3.5.1.2.3. Types of Background Mesh ....................................................................... 298
13.3.5.1.2.4. Density of the Background Mesh .............................................................. 299
13.3.5.2. Instancing Tab ........................................................................................................... 299
13.4. Turbo View Shortcuts .................................................................................................................. 299
13.5. Turbo Surface .............................................................................................................................. 300
13.5.1. Turbo Surface: Geometry .................................................................................................... 300
13.5.1.1. Domains .................................................................................................................... 301
13.5.1.2. Definition .................................................................................................................. 301
13.5.1.3. Bounds ...................................................................................................................... 302
13.5.1.4. Type .......................................................................................................................... 302
13.5.2. Turbo Surface: Common Tabs .............................................................................................. 302
13.5.2.1. Turbo Surface: Color ................................................................................................... 302
13.5.2.2. Turbo Surface: Render ................................................................................................ 302
13.5.2.3. Turbo Surface: View .................................................................................................... 303
13.6. Turbo Line ................................................................................................................................... 303
13.6.1. Turbo Line: Geometry ......................................................................................................... 303
13.6.2. Turbo Line: Common Tabs ................................................................................................... 304
13.6.2.1. Turbo Line: Color ........................................................................................................ 304
13.6.2.2. Turbo Line: Render ..................................................................................................... 304
13.6.2.3. Turbo Line: View ......................................................................................................... 304
13.7. Turbo Plots .................................................................................................................................. 304
13.7.1. Introduction to Turbo Plots ................................................................................................. 304
13.7.1.1. Show Faces/Show Mesh Lines .................................................................................... 304
13.7.1.2. Graphical Instancing .................................................................................................. 304
13.7.1.3. Turbo Measurements ................................................................................................. 304
13.7.1.3.1. Span ................................................................................................................. 304
13.7.1.3.2. Span Direction .................................................................................................. 305
13.7.1.3.3. Span Normalized ............................................................................................... 305
13.7.1.3.4. Streamwise Location ......................................................................................... 305
13.7.1.3.5. Theta ................................................................................................................ 305
13.7.1.3.6. Advanced: Position of Zero Theta ....................................................................... 305
13.7.2. Initialization Three Views .................................................................................................... 305
13.7.3. 3D View Object ................................................................................................................... 306
13.7.4. Blade-to-Blade Object ........................................................................................................ 306
13.7.4.1. Span .......................................................................................................................... 306
13.7.4.2. Angular Shift ............................................................................................................. 307
13.7.4.3. Plot Type ................................................................................................................... 307
13.7.4.3.1. Color ................................................................................................................. 307
13.7.4.3.2. Contour ............................................................................................................ 307
13.7.4.3.3. Vector ............................................................................................................... 307
13.7.4.3.4. Stream .............................................................................................................. 307
13.7.5. Meridional Object .............................................................................................................. 307
13.7.6.Turbo Charts ....................................................................................................................... 308
13.7.6.1. Blade Loading Turbo Charts ....................................................................................... 308
13.7.6.2. Circumferential Turbo Charts ...................................................................................... 308
of ANSYS, Inc. and its subsidiaries and affiliates. xix
User's Guide
13.7.6.3. Hub to Shroud Turbo Charts ....................................................................................... 309

13.7.6.3.1. Single Line vs. Two Lines .................................................................................... 309
13.7.6.3.2. Display .............................................................................................................. 309
13.7.6.3.3. Mode ................................................................................................................ 309
13.7.6.3.4. Point Type ......................................................................................................... 310
13.7.6.3.5. Theta ................................................................................................................ 311
13.7.6.3.6. Samples ............................................................................................................ 311
13.7.6.3.7. Streamwise ....................................................................................................... 311
13.7.6.3.8. Distribution ...................................................................................................... 311
13.7.6.3.9. X/Y Variable ...................................................................................................... 314
13.7.6.3.10. Circumferential Averaging by Length: Hub to Shroud Turbo Chart .................... 315
13.7.6.3.11. Circumferential Averaging by Area: Hub to Shroud Turbo Chart ........................ 315
13.7.6.3.12. Circumferential Averaging by Mass Flow: Hub to Shroud Turbo Chart ............... 315
13.7.6.3.13. Linear BA Streamwise Location Coordinates ..................................................... 315
13.7.6.3.14. BA Streamwise Location Coordinates ............................................................... 316
13.7.6.4. Inlet to Outlet Turbo Charts ........................................................................................ 316
13.7.6.4.1. Circumferential Averaging by Length: Inlet to Outlet Turbo Chart ....................... 317
13.7.6.4.2. Circumferential Averaging by Area or Mass: Inlet to Outlet Turbo Chart ............... 317
13.8. Turbo Macros .............................................................................................................................. 317
13.9. Calculate Velocity Components ................................................................................................... 318
13.9.1. Calculating Cylindrical Velocity Components for Non-turbo Cases ....................................... 324
14. CFX Command Language (CCL) in CFD-Post ..................................................................................... 327
14.1. Object Creation and Deletion ...................................................................................................... 327
15. CFX Expression Language (CEL) in CFD-Post .................................................................................... 329
15.1. Variables Created by CFD-Post ..................................................................................................... 330
16. Command Actions ............................................................................................................................. 331
16.1. Overview of Command Actions ................................................................................................... 331
16.2. File Operations from the Command Editor Dialog Box .................................................................. 332
16.2.1. Loading a Results File ......................................................................................................... 332
16.2.1.1. load Command Examples .......................................................................................... 332
16.2.2. Reading Session Files .......................................................................................................... 333
16.2.2.1. readsession Command Examples ............................................................................... 333
16.2.3. Saving State Files ................................................................................................................ 333
16.2.3.1. savestate Command Examples ................................................................................... 334
16.2.4. Reading State Files ............................................................................................................. 334
16.2.4.1. readstate Option Actions ........................................................................................... 335
16.2.4.2. readstate Command Examples ................................................................................... 336
16.2.5. Solution Monitoring ........................................................................................................... 337
16.2.6. Creating a Hardcopy ........................................................................................................... 337
16.2.7. Importing External File Formats .......................................................................................... 337
16.2.8. Exporting Data ................................................................................................................... 338
16.2.9. Controlling the Viewer ........................................................................................................ 338
16.3. Quantitative Calculations in the Command Editor Dialog Box ....................................................... 339
16.4. Other Commands ....................................................................................................................... 339
16.4.1. Deleting Objects ................................................................................................................ 340
16.4.2. Viewing a Chart .................................................................................................................. 340
16.4.3. Turbo Post CCL Command Actions ...................................................................................... 340
16.4.3.1. Calculating Velocity Components ............................................................................... 340
16.4.3.2. Initializing all Turbo Components ............................................................................... 340
17. Line Interface Mode .......................................................................................................................... 341
17.1. Features Available in Line Interface Mode .................................................................................... 342
18. Fluent Field Variables Listed by Category ......................................................................................... 343
xx of ANSYS, Inc. and its subsidiaries and affiliates.
Preface
This preface discusses how to use this manual:
• About this Manual (p. xxi)
• Document Conventions (p. xxii)
how to access the online help system:
• Accessing Help (p. xxiv)
and how to obtain support for your software:
• Contact Information (p. xxiv)
1. About this Manual

This manual contain the following chapters:
• Overview of CFD-Post (p. 1) describes CFD-Post functionality and advanced features.
• Starting CFD-Post (p. 3) describes how to start CFD-Post and the environment variables that affect how
CFD-Post operates.
• CFD-Post Graphical Interface (p. 13) describes the CFD-Post interface.
• CFD-Post 3D Viewer (p. 75) describes how to use the CFD-Post 3D Viewer.
• CFD-Post Workflow (p. 87) describes common ways to use CFD-Post.
• CFD-Post File Menu (p. 91) describes the functionality available from the File menu and the file types that
CFD-Post supports.
• CFD-Post Edit Menu and Options (Preferences) (p. 135) describes the functionality available from the Edit
menu, such as customizing CFD-Post by setting your preferences on the Options dialog box.
• CFD-Post Session Menu (p. 145) describes how to record and replay session files. (Session files contain a record
of the commands issued during a CFD-Post session.)
• CFD-Post Insert Menu (p. 147) describes how to create new objects (such as locators, tables, charts, and so
on), variables, and expressions by using the Insert menu.
• CFD-Post Tools Menu (p. 249) describes how to use the CFD-Post Tools menu, which offers access to
quantitative analysis utilities, the animation editor and the timestep selector.
• Turbo Workspace (p. 293) describes how to use the CFD-Post Turbo workspace, which improves and speeds
up post-processing for turbomachinery simulations.
• CFX Command Language (CCL) in CFD-Post (p. 327) describes how to use the CFX Command Language (CCL)
and the CFX Expression Language (CEL).
• CFX Expression Language (CEL) describes the CFX Expression Language (CEL) in detail.
of ANSYS, Inc. and its subsidiaries and affiliates. xxi
Preface
• Line Interface Mode describes running CFD-Post in line-interface mode (that is, without using a user interface,
but with a viewer that shows objects you create on the command line) and in batch mode (where a viewer
is not provided and you cannot enter commands at a command prompt).
• Fluent Field Variables Listed by Category describes how to convert variable names in a Fluent file to CFX
variable names for use in CFD-Post.
2. Document Conventions
This section describes the conventions used in this document to distinguish between text, filenames,
system messages, and input that you need to type.
File and Directory Names

Filenames and directory names appear in a plain fixed-width font (for example, /usr/lib). On Linux,
directory names are separated by forward slashes (/), but on Windows, backslashes are used (\). For example,
a directory name on Linux might be /CFX/bin whereas on a Windows system, the same directory would
be named \CFX\bin.
User Input
Input to be typed verbatim is shown using the following convention:
mkdir /usr/local/cfx
Input Substitution
Input substitution is shown using the following convention:
cfx5post -batch <batch_file>
you should actually type cfx5post -batch and substitute a batch-file name for <batch_file>.
Optional Arguments
Optional arguments are shown using square brackets:
cfx5export -cgns [-verbose] <file>
Here the argument -verbose is optional, but you must specify a suitable filename.
Long Commands
Commands that are too long to display on a printed page are shown with “\” characters at the ends of in-
termediate lines:
cfx5export -cgns [-boundary] [-corrected] [-C] \
[-domain <number>] [-geometry] [-help] [-name <file>] \
[-summary] [-timestep <number>] [-user <level>] [-norotate] \
[-boundaries-as-nodes|-boundaries-as-faces] [-verbose] <file>
On a Linux system, you may type the “\” characters, pressing Enter after each. However, on a Windows
machine you must enter the whole command without the “\” characters; continue typing if the
command is too long to fit in the command prompt window and press Enter only at the end of
the complete command.
<CFDPOSTROOT>
The installation directory for CFD-Post, which differs depending on whether it installed with ANSYS CFX.
The default installation directory for CFD-Post without ANSYS CFX is:
C:\Program Files\ANSYS Inc\v180\CFD-Post
xxii of ANSYS, Inc. and its subsidiaries and affiliates.
Document Conventions
Operating System Names

When we refer to objects that depend on the type of system being used, we will use one of the following
symbols in the text:
<os> refers to the short form of the name that CFX uses to identify the operating system in question.
<os> will generally be used for directory names where the contents of the directory depend on
the operating system but do not depend on the release of the operating system or on the processor
type. Wherever you see <os> in the text you should substitute with the operating system name.
The correct value can be determined by running:
<CFDPOSTROOT>/bin/cfx5info -os
<arch> refers to the long form of the name that CFX uses to identify the system architecture in
question. <arch> will generally be used for directory names where the contents of the directory
depend on the operating system and on the release of the operating system or the processor type.
Wherever you see <arch> in the text you should substitute the appropriate value for your system,
which can be determined by running the command:
<CFDPOSTROOT>/bin/cfx5info -arch
2.1. Spelling Conventions

ANSYS CFX documentation uses American spelling:
• atomization rather than atomisation
• color rather than colour
• customization rather than customisation
• discretization rather than discretisation
• initialization rather than initialisation
• meter rather than metre
• normalization rather than normalisation
• vapor rather than vapour
• vaporization rather than vaporisation
When searching, use American spellings:
For: Search for:

Colour Map Color Map (or try Color Map Command (p. 219))
Colour Mode Color Mode (or try Color Mode (p. 192))
Colour Scale Color Scale (or try Color Scale (p. 20))
Colour Tab Color Tab (or try Color Tab (p. 19))
Turbo Initialisation Turbo Initialization (or try Turbo Initialization (p. 294))
Auto-initialise Auto-initialize (or try Requirements for Initialization (p. 295))
Uninitialise Uninitialize (or try Uninitializing Components (p. 296))
of ANSYS, Inc. and its subsidiaries and affiliates. xxiii
Preface
For: Search for:

Initialise All Initialize All Components (or try Initialize All Components (p. 295))
Components
Undefined Colour Undefined Color (or try Undefined Color (p. 21))
Synchronise Camera Synchronize Camera (or try Case Comparison (p. 288))
3. Accessing Help
You can access the ANSYS CFX help in the following ways:
• Select the appropriate command from the Help menu of the ANSYS CFX Launcher or CFX-Pre, CFX-Solver
Manager, or CFD-Post. The help will open in the ANSYS Help Viewer.
• Click a feature of the ANSYS CFX interface to make it active and, with the mouse pointer over the feature,
press the F1 key for context-sensitive help (that is, the help opens at the appropriate page for the feature
under the mouse pointer). Not every area of the interface supports context-sensitive help.
• To access documentation files on the ANSYS Customer Portal, go to http://support.ansys.com/documentation.
PDF help is available in the ANSYS Customer Portal (support.ansys.com/docdownloads).
For information on using the ANSYS Help Viewer, see Using Help in the Using Help.
For further information about tutorials and documentation on the ANSYS Customer Portal, go to http://
support.ansys.com/docinfo.
The following table lists the PDF files for ANSYS CFD-Post:
Book Description PDF

Name
Tutorials A set of tutorials that demonstrate the workflow cfd_posttutr.pdf
ANSYS CFD-Post User’s How to post-process a results file cfd_post.pdf
Guide
Reference Guides Best-practices guides and complete details for APIs, cfx_ref.pdf
CFX Command Language, CFX Expression Language,
functions, and variables
4. Contact Information
Technical Support for ANSYS, Inc. products is provided either by ANSYS, Inc. directly or by one of our
certified ANSYS Support Providers. Please check with the ANSYS Support Coordinator (ASC) at your
company to determine who provides support for your company, or go to www.ansys.com and select
Contacts> Contacts and Locations.
If your support is provided by ANSYS, Inc. directly, Technical Support can be accessed quickly and effi-
ciently from the ANSYS Customer Portal, which is available from the ANSYS Website (www.ansys.com)
under Support > Customer Portal. The direct URL is: support.ansys.com.
One of the many useful features of the Customer Portal is the Knowledge Resources Search, which can
be found on the Home page of the Customer Portal. To use this feature, enter relevant text (error
message, etc.) in the Knowledge Resources Search box and click the magnifying glass icon. These
xxiv of ANSYS, Inc. and its subsidiaries and affiliates.
Contact Information
Knowledge Resources provide solutions and guidance on how to resolve installation and licensing issues
quickly.
NORTH AMERICA
All ANSYS Products except Esterel, Apache and Reaction Design products
Web: Go to the ANSYS Customer Portal (http://support.ansys.com) and select the appropriate option.
Toll-Free Telephone: 1.800.711.7199 (Please have your Customer or Contact ID ready.)
Support for University customers is provided only through the ANSYS Customer Portal.
GERMANY
ANSYS Mechanical Products
Telephone: +49 (0) 8092 7005-55 (CADFEM)
Email: support@cadfem.de
All ANSYS Products
National Toll-Free Telephone: (Please have your Customer or Contact ID ready.)
German language: 0800 181 8499
English language: 0800 181 1565
Austria: 0800 297 835
Switzerland: 0800 564 318
International Telephone: (Please have your Customer or Contact ID ready.)
German language: +49 6151 152 9981
English language: +49 6151 152 9982
Email: support-germany@ansys.com
UNITED KINGDOM
All ANSYS Products
Telephone: Please have your Customer or Contact ID ready.
UK: 0800 048 0462
Republic of Ireland: 1800 065 6642
Outside UK: +44 1235 420130
Email: support-uk@ansys.com
JAPAN
CFX and Mechanical Products
Telephone: +81-3-5324-7305
Email:
Mechanical: japan-ansys-support@ansys.com
Fluent: japan-fluent-support@ansys.com;
of ANSYS, Inc. and its subsidiaries and affiliates. xxv
Preface
CFX: japan-cfx-support@ansys.com;
Polyflow: japan-polyflow-support@ansys.com;
Icepak
Telephone: +81-3-5324-7444
Email: japan-icepak-support@ansys.com
Licensing and Installation
Email: japan-license-support@ansys.com
INDIA
All ANSYS Products
Telephone: +91 1 800 209 3475 (toll free) or +91 20 6654 3000 (toll) (Please have your Customer or
Contact ID ready.)
FRANCE
All ANSYS Products
Toll-Free Telephone: +33 (0) 800 919 225 Toll Number: +33 (0) 170 489 087 (Please have your Customer
or Contact ID ready.)
Email: support-france@ansys.com
BELGIUM
All ANSYS Products
Toll-Free Telephone: (0) 800 777 83 Toll Number: +32 2 620 0152 (Please have your Customer or Contact
ID ready.)
Email: support-benelux@ansys.com
SWEDEN
All ANSYS Products
Telephone: +46 (0) 10 516 49 00
Email: support-sweden@ansys.com
SPAIN and PORTUGAL

All ANSYS Products
xxvi of ANSYS, Inc. and its subsidiaries and affiliates.
Contact Information
Spain: Toll-Free Telephone: 900 933 407 Toll Number: +34 9178 78350 (Please have your Customer or
Contact ID ready.)
Portugal: Toll-Free Telephone: 800 880 513 (Portugal)
Email: support-spain@ansys.com, support-portugal@ansys.com
ITALY
All ANSYS Products
Toll-Free Telephone: 800 789 531 Toll Number: +39 02 00621386 (Please have your Customer or Contact
ID ready.)
Email: support-italy@ansys.com
TAIWAN, REPUBLIC OF CHINA

Telephone: 866 22725 5828
K0REA
Telephone: 82-2-3441-5000
CHINA
Toll-Free Telephone: 400 819 8999 Toll Number: +86 10 82861715
of ANSYS, Inc. and its subsidiaries and affiliates. xxvii
xxviii of ANSYS, Inc. and its subsidiaries and affiliates.
Chapter 1: Overview of CFD-Post
CFD-Post is a flexible, state-of-the-art postprocessor. It is designed to enable easy visualization and
quantitative analysis of the results of CFD simulations.
This chapter describes:

1.1. CFD-Post Features and Functionality
1.2. 3Dconnexion Product Support
1.3. Advanced Features
1.4. Next Steps...
1.1. CFD-Post Features and Functionality

CFD-Post has the following features:
• A graphical user interface that includes a viewer pane in which all graphical output from CFD-Post is plotted.
For details, see CFD-Post Graphical Interface (p. 13) and CFD-Post 3D Viewer (p. 75).
• Support for a variety of graphical and geometric objects used to create postprocessing plots, to visualize
the mesh, and to define locations for quantitative calculation. For details, see CFD-Post Insert Menu (p. 147).
You can perform a variety of exact quantitative calculations over objects; for details, see Quantitative
Calculations in the Command Editor Dialog Box.
• Scalar and vector user-defined variables.
• Variable freezing (for comparison with other files).
• Postprocessing capability for turbomachinery applications. For details, see Turbo Workspace (p. 293).
• Standard interactive viewer controls (rotate, zoom, pan, zoom box), multiple viewports, stored views/figures.
• Extensive reports, including charting (XY, time plots). For details, see Report (p. 33).
CFD-Post includes the following functionality:
• Reads CFX-Solver results files (*.res), CFX-Solver input files (*.def), CFX-Mesh files (*.gtm), CFX-Solver
Backup results files (*.bak), CFX-Solver Error results files (*.res, *.err), ANSYS files (*.rst, *.rth,
*.rmg, *.inn), ANSYS Meshing files (*.cmdb, *.dsdb), CFX-4 dump files (*.d*mp*), CFX-TASCflow files
(*.lun, *.grd, *.rso), CGNS files (*.cgns, *.cgs), and Fluent files (*.cas, *.dat, *.msh, *.cdat).
The supported file types are described in File Types Used and Produced by CFD-Post (p. 115).
Note
CFX-Solver results files are necessary to access some of the quantitative functionality that
CFD-Post can provide.
of ANSYS, Inc. and its subsidiaries and affiliates. 1
Overview of CFD-Post
• Supports transient data, including moving mesh. Node locations are repositioned based on the position for
the current timestep.
• Imports/exports ANSYS data, generic data, and generic geometry.
• Supports macros through an embedded user interface (see Macro Calculator (p. 266)).
• Outputs to PostScript, JPEG, PNG, various bitmap formats, and VRM, as well as animation (keyframe) and
MPEG file output. For details, see Quick Animation (p. 254).
1.2. 3Dconnexion Product Support

See ANSYS.com > Support > Platform Support for a complete list of 3Dconnexion products certified
with the current release of ANSYS applications.
Note
Note: The 3D viewer in CFX/CFD-Post/TurboGrid does not support the buttons of a 3Dcon-
nexion device. However it might be possible to use the software provided with the device
to configure the buttons so that they send key sequences that trigger 3D viewer actions.
1.3. Advanced Features

CFD-Post also contains advanced features:
CFX Command Language (CCL)

CCL is the internal command language used within CFD-Post. CCL is used to create objects or perform
actions. CFD-Post enables command line, session file, or state file input through the CFX Command Language
(CCL). For details, see CFX Command Language (CCL) in CFD-Post (p. 327).
CFX Expression Language (CEL)

CEL is a powerful expression language used to create user-defined variables, expressions, and so on. For
details, see CFX Expression Language (CEL).
Power Syntax
Power Syntax provides integration of the Perl programming language with CCL to enable the creation of
advanced subroutines. For details, see Power Syntax in ANSYS CFX.
Batch Mode
CFD-Post can be run in batch mode (often using a session file as the basis for a series of actions that will
be executed). For details, see Running in Batch Mode (p. 9).
1.4. Next Steps...

Now that you have an overview of the capabilities of CFD-Post, you may want to explore:
• Starting CFD-Post (p. 3)
• CFD-Post Graphical Interface (p. 13).
2 of ANSYS, Inc. and its subsidiaries and affiliates.
Chapter 2: Starting CFD-Post
This chapter describes how to start CFD-Post and the environment variables that affect how CFD-Post
operates:
2.1. Starting CFD-Post with the ANSYS CFX Launcher
2.2. Starting CFD-Post from the Command Line
2.3. Setting CFD-Post Operation Through Environment Variables
2.4. Running in Batch Mode
Note
You can also start CFD-Post from other ANSYS products; for details, refer to the documentation
that comes with those products.
2.1. Starting CFD-Post with the ANSYS CFX Launcher

CFD-Post is installed with the ANSYS CFX Launcher, which makes it easy to run CFD-Post. The launcher
enables you to:
• Set the working directory for your project.
• Launch CFD-Post and, if available, other ANSYS products.
• Access various other tools, including a command window that enables you to run ANSYS CFX utilities without
having to type the path to the executable.
• Access the online help and other useful information.
• Customize the behavior of the launcher to start your own applications.
You can run the launcher in any of the following ways:
• On Windows:
– From the Start menu, select All Programs > ANSYS 18.0 > Fluid Dynamics > CFX 18.0.
– In a DOS window that has its path set up correctly to run ANSYS CFX, enter: cfx5
If the path has not been set, you need to type the full path to the cfx5 command; typically this
is:
C:\Program Files\ANSYS Inc\v180\CFX\bin\cfx5.exe
• On Linux, open a terminal window that has its path set up to run ANSYS CFX and enter: cfx5
If the path has not been set, you need to type the full path to the cfx5 command; typically this is:
/usr/ansys_inc/v180/CFX/bin/cfx5.exe
Starting CFD-Post
When the launcher starts, set your working directory and click the CFD-Post icon.
Note
The launcher automatically searches for CFD-Post and other ANSYS products, including the
license manager.
2.1.1. Valid Syntax in CFD-Post

Valid Syntax for Named Objects
The names of objects must be no more than 80 characters in length. Any of the following characters are
allowed to name new objects: A-Z a-z 0-9 <space> (however, the first character must be A-Z or
a-z). Multiple spaces are treated as single space characters, and spaces at the end of a name are ignored.
In general, object names must be unique within the physics setup.
Valid Decimal Separator

In ANSYS CFD-Post, only a period is allowed to be used as a decimal delimiter in fields that accept floating-
point input. Depending on your system configuration, fields that accept numeric input will either accept
a comma but return an error, or not accept a comma at all.
ANSYS Workbench accepts commas as decimal delimiters, but translates these to periods when
passing data to CFD-Post.
Note
CFD-Post will not function correctly on a Linux system with the environment variable
"LC_ALL" set to a locale which uses a comma delimiter. The environment variable "LANG"
can usually be used to set the locale instead.
Valid Network Path

UNC paths are not supported in CFD-Post. You should use drive letters when opening CFD-Post over a
network installation.
2.2. Starting CFD-Post from the Command Line

You may want to start CFD-Post from the command line rather than by clicking the appropriate button
on the ANSYS CFX Launcher for the following reasons:
• You may want to specify certain command-line arguments so that CFD-Post starts up in a particular config-
uration. For details, see Optional Command Line Arguments (p. 5).
• CFX contains some utilities (for example, a parameter editor) that can be run only from the command line.
• If you are having problems with CFD-Post, you may be able to get a more detailed error message by starting
it from the command line than you would get if you started it from the launcher. When you start CFD-Post
from the command line, any error messages produced are written to the command-line window.
To start CFD-Post from the command line, enter:
Windows <CFDPOSTROOT>\bin\cfdpost
Linux <CFDPOSTROOT>/bin/cfdpost
Starting CFD-Post from the Command Line
2.2.1. Optional Command Line Arguments

The table that follows summarizes the most common of the optional command line arguments:
Argument Description
-batch <file Starts CFD-Post in batch mode, running the session file you enter as an
name.cse> argument.
[<results file
1>] [<results
file 2> ...]
-gui Starts CFD-Post in graphical user interface (GUI) mode (the default).
-line Starts CFD-Post in line interface (CFD-Post command line) mode. This
interface will start a command line prompt where you can type CCL
commands. Typically you would create a session file using the user
interface mode, then make modifications to that file as required.
To start a CCL section, type “e”. When done typing CCL commands, type
“.e” to process the CCL.
The ability to write and execute CCL is also available in user interface
mode through the Command Editor. For details, see Overview of
Command Actions.
-remote <host> -remote specifies a remote host to run on.
-port <number>
-viewerport -port specifies the port number for user interface-engine
<number> communication.
-viewerport specifies the port for the viewer.
This option also requires the host machine to be running CFD-Post with
the -server option.
-report <tem Starts CFD-Post in batch mode, loads the results files, then produces a
plate> [-name report and exits.
<report name>]
[-outdir <dir Here, <template> may be one of the following:
name>] [<res
ults file 1>] • The word “auto”. If you use the word “auto” for a template, then CFD-Post
will attempt to find the most suitable built-in template.
[<results file
2> ...] • The name of a registered template, wrapped in quotes. Register a template
by running CFD-Post in user interface mode. For details, see Report
Templates (p. 37).
• The name of a state or session file. If you provide a state file as a template,
the results file indicated in the state file, if there is one, will be used when
no results file name is provided on the command line.
-graphics For Linux only: specify the graphics system (options are ogl and mesa).
Alternative form:
-gr
Starting CFD-Post
Argument Description
-local-root Specify the file path of the CFD-Post installation.
<path>
-t <file.cst> Start CFD-Post and load the state file <file.cst>.
Alternative form:
-state
<file.cst>
-results Start CFD-Post and load the results file <file.res>.
<file.res>
Alternative
form:-res
<file.res>
-monitor Start CFD-Post and begin monitoring the solution in progress.
<file.dir>
-multiconfig Select a multi-configuration load option to control how you load a
single|separ multi-configuration (.mres) file or a results file (.res) that contains a
ate|last run history (that is, a file that was produced from a definition file that
had its initial values specified from a results file from a previous run and
Alternative form:-m saved to the results file that you are loading). Choose:
single|separ
ate|last • Single Case to load all configurations of a multi-configuration run as a single
case, or all of the results history from a results file that contains a run history.
In either case, only one set of results will appear in the viewer, but you can
use the timestep selector to move between results. This option is not fully
supported.
• Separate Cases to load all configurations from a multi-configuration run

into separate cases. If a results file with run history is loaded, CFD-Post loads
the results from this file and the results for any results file in its run history
as separate cases. Each result appears as a separate entry in the tree.
• Last Case to load only the last configuration of a multi-configuration results

file, or only the last results from a results file that contains a run history.
-s <file.cse> Start CFD-Post and load the session file <file.cse>.
Alternative
form:-session
<file.cse>
-v Display a summary of the currently set environment variables.
Alternative
form:-verbose
-h Display a full list of all the possible arguments with short descriptions.
Alternative
form:-help
Setting CFD-Post Operation Through Environment Variables
2.3. Setting CFD-Post Operation Through Environment Variables

There are a number of environment variables that can be used to change how CFD-Post behaves:
Environment Description/Usage
Variable
CFX Allows user-defined macros to load at start-up.
POST_USER_MAC
ROS CFXPOST_USER_MACROS='macro1, macro2, '
If the macros contain user interface commands, the appropriate panels will
be added to the Macro Evaluator user interface.
Example:
CFXPOST_USER_MACROS='myMacro1.cse, /home/bob/mac
ros/myMacro3.cse'
CFX Enables adjusting the zero-theta location in single-domain cases.
POST_ZERO_THETA
Linux: CFXPOST_ZERO_THETA='x,y,z'
Windows: CFXPOST_ZERO_THETA=x,y,z
(where x,y,z is a point not on the rotation axis)
This will be used in turbo cases to determine at which position the Theta
variable will be equal to zero. By default, CFD-Post will set Theta such that
the Theta values in the first encountered domain range from zero to some
positive value.
Example for Linux:
CFXPOST_ZERO_THETA='1,0,0.5'
Example for Windows (no quotes):
CFXPOST_ZERO_THETA=1,0,0.5
CFX_USER_IM Enables you to display a custom logo image in the viewer.
AGE_DATA CFX_USER_IMAGE_DATA='filepath
xLoc yLoc xAttach yAttach scale
alphaR alphaG alphaB transparency'
filepath: path to the image file
Only ppm, png, jpeg, and 24-bit bmp files are currently supported.
xLoc, yLoc: horizontal and vertical location of the image in the viewer (0-1)
xAttach: left, center, right or none.
If set to none, xLoc is used.
yAttach: top, center, bottom or none.
Starting CFD-Post
Variable
If set to none, yLoc is used.
scale: image size relative to viewer size (0-1)
If set to 0, original pixels are shown regardless of the viewer size.
alphaR, alphaG, alphaB: red/green/blue components (normalized to 0-255)

of alpha (the color that will represent 100% transparency)
transparency: overall bitmap transparency (0-1)
Example:
To display image myImage.ppm in the right-bottom corner, occupying 12%

of the viewer size, making the pure green color represent 100% transparent,
and setting the overall transparency to 60%, use:
CFX_USER_IMAGE_DATA=
'/logos/myImage.ppm 0 0 right bottom 0.12 0 255 0 0.6'
VIEW Allows placing the viewer camera to left/right eye position.

ER_EYE_POINT
It can be used for composing stereo images and movies
VIEWER_EYE_POINT='cameraZ eyeDist mode'
cameraZ: Z location of the camera (must be less than –1.0; –5.0 is optimum)
Smaller numbers bring the camera closer to the scene (and also widen the
camera angle), larger numbers move it further.
eyeDist: distance between the eyes (0.1 is optimum)
mode: 0 = normal, 1 = left eye, 2 = right eye, 3 = left/right eye (two viewports),
4 = right/left (two viewports), 5 = stereo
Example:
VIEWER_EYE_POINT='–5.0 0.1 0'

CFX_BACK Applicable to spherical backgrounds only.
GROUND_RO
TATE CFX_BACKGROUND_ROTATE='x y z angle'
x,y,z: specifies a direction vector (in the global coordinate system) about
which to apply a rotation to the background image
angle: specifies the rotation angle, in degrees, of the background image
The rotation angle is clockwise looking in the direction of the specified

direction vector.
Example:
Running in Batch Mode
Variable
If you start CFD-Post with the mountain scenery background, the background
will appear upright when the Y axis is “up”. You may find that the geometry
of your CFD mesh has its “top” side pointing in the X axis direction. You can
rotate the background image so that it appears upright when the X axis is
“up” by rotating the image about the Z axis by -90 degrees, as follows:
CFX_BACKGROUND_ROTATE='0 0 1 -90'
2.4. Running in Batch Mode

All of the functionality of CFD-Post can be accessed when running in batch mode.
When running in batch mode, a Viewer is not provided and you cannot enter commands at a command
prompt. Instead, commands are issued via a CFD-Post session file (*.cse), the name of which is specified
when executing the command to start batch mode. The session file can be created using a text editor,
or, more easily, by recording a session while running in line interface or user interface mode. You can
leave a session file recording while you quit from user interface or line interface mode to write the
>quit command to a session file. Alternatively, you can use a text editor to add this command to the
end of the session file.
When launching CFD-Post on a remote Linux machine (though X, Exceed, and so on), the DISPLAY
variable must be set to a valid X display before running in batch mode. The display will typically be
your local Windows, or Linux machine. The remote machine must have permission to connect to the
display (for example, by use of the xhost command if the X display is on a Linux machine).
To run in batch mode, execute one of the following commands at the command prompt:
Windows <CFDPOSTROOT>\bin\cfdpost -batch <filename.cse>

Linux <CFDPOSTROOT>/bin/cfdpost -batch <filename.cse>
You can include the name of a results file in your session file, which is described in the example below.
However, you can also pass the name of a results file and a session to CFD-Post from the command
line. This allows you to apply a generic session file to a series of different results files. To launch CFD-
Post in batch file mode, load a results file and execute the statements in a session file using one of the
following commands:
Windows <CFDPOSTROOT>\bin\cfdpost -batch <filename.cse> <filename.res>

Linux <CFDPOSTROOT>/bin/cfdpost -batch <filename.cse> <filename.res>
To load multiple files, you may list the filenames at the end. For example, fluid.res solid.rst flu-
id1.res
2.4.1. Example: Pressure Calculation on Multiple Files using Batch Mode

This example calculates the value of pressure at a point in each of three results files.
The purpose of this example is for demonstration only. You will deal with only three results files in this
case, and it would be faster to produce the output by using the graphical user interface. However, these
features can be useful in situations where a large number of results files need to be processed at once.
Starting CFD-Post
In order to carry out this procedure, you will make use of session files, power syntax and the Command
Editor dialog box. You could use the results from any file by making the appropriate substitutions in
the following example.
1. Place three results files (<resfile1>, <resfile2>, <resfile3>) in your working directory. For this
example, in all three results files the location 0, 0, 0 must be in the solution domain.
2. Create a session file based on a results file.
a. Start CFD-Post and select File > Load Results. Select the results file and click Open.
b. Select Session > New Session from the main menu.
For details, see New Session Command (p. 145).
c. Enter batchtest.cse as the session file name and click Save.
d. Select Session > Start Recording from the main menu to begin recording the session file commands.
e. Select Insert > Location > Point and accept the default name Point 1.
f. Click Apply to create the point at location 0, 0, 0.
You will now use Power Syntax to find the value of pressure at Point 1, and print it to the
command line. In addition to printing the value of pressure, it would be useful to know the
name of the results file. You will make use of the DATA READER object to find the name of
the current results file.
g. Select Tools > Command Editor.
h. Enter the following into the command window:

! $filePath = getValue("DATA READER","Current Results File");
! $pressureVal = probe("Pressure","Point 1");
! print "\nFor $filePath, Pressure at Point 1 is $pressureVal\n";
Note
If you copy the text above into the Command Editor, ensure that the exclamation
points are at the beginning of lines.
i. Click Process to process the commands.
j. Check the terminal window to make sure the command worked as desired.
k. Select Session > Stop Recording from the main menu to stop recording the session file.
3. This completes the first part of the example. You may want to close down CFD-Post at this time.
4. You can now run the session file on any number of results files using the following command:
<CFDPOSTROOT>/bin/cfdpost -batch batchtest.cse <resfile>
where <resfile> is the name of your results file.
Running in Batch Mode
To load multiple files, you can list the filenames at the end of the command. For example:
cfdpost -batch batchtest.cse <resfile1> <resfile2> <resfile3>
For a very large number of results files, a simple script can be used to pass filenames as command line
arguments. As an example, this C shell script would pass arguments as results file names to the CFD-
Post command line:
#!/bin/csh
foreach file ($argv)
<CFDPOSTROOT>/cfdpost -batch batchtest.cse $file
end
Chapter 3: CFD-Post Graphical Interface
The CFD-Post interface contains the following areas: the menu bar, the toolbar, the workspace area,
and the viewer area.
Figure 3.1: Sample CFD-Post Interface
When CFD-Post starts, the Outline workspace area and the 3D Viewer are displayed. The top area of
the Outline workspace is the tree view and the bottom area is the details view (the details view is pop-
ulated only after you edit an item, as described in Details Views (p. 16)).
The viewer displays an outline of the geometry and other graphic objects. In addition to the mouse,
you can use icons from the viewer toolbar (along the top of the viewer) to manipulate the view.
CFD-Post Graphical Interface
The width of the workspace can be adjusted by dragging its right border to the left or right. The width
of the viewer is updated to accommodate the new size of the workspace. The dividing line between
the tree view and details view can be dragged vertically to re-size the windows. You may want to do
this if the details view contains a large amount of information.
The remainder of this chapter describes:

3.1. Graphical Objects
3.2. Common Tree View Shortcuts
3.3. Details Views
3.4. Outline Workspace
3.5. Variables Workspace
3.6. Expressions Workspace
3.7. Calculators Workspace
3.8.Turbo Workspace
3.1. Graphical Objects

CFD-Post supports a variety of graphical objects and locator objects that are used to create postprocessing
plots and to define locations for quantitative calculation. In Figure 3.1: Sample CFD-Post Interface (p. 13)
a plane has been inserted and configured to display temperature.
The details of all the possible objects and associated parameters that can be defined in CFD-Post are
described in the CFD-Post .ccl file available with the installation.
3.1.1. Creating and Editing New Objects

New objects can be created and edited by:
• Right-clicking an object in the tree view area.
Graphical Objects
• Selecting a command from the Insert menu
For details, see CFD-Post Insert Menu (p. 147).
• Right-clicking in the viewer (not applicable for all object types). In many cases, this is the most convenient
way to create locators (such as planes). For details, see CFD-Post 3D Viewer Shortcut Menus (p. 78).
3.1.2. Selecting Objects

You can select multiple objects by holding down the Ctrl or Shift key as you select each object. Sub-
sequently right-clicking any of the selected objects allows you to perform commands that apply to all
of the selected objects (such as Show and Hide).
3.1.3. Object Visibility

In the Outline and Turbo workspaces, some objects have a visibility check box beside them. In the
graphic that follows, the Wireframe, Plane, and Streamline objects are set to be visible in the viewer.
You can change the visibility settings for a group of objects by first selecting a subgroup of objects
(using mouse clicks while holding down Ctrl (for multiple, independent selections) or Shift (to drag
over a range of selections)), and then right-clicking on the group and using the appropriate shortcut
menu command (for example, Hide or Show). For details, see CFD-Post 3D Viewer Shortcut Menus (p. 78).
When multiple viewports are used, the state of each check box is maintained separately for each
viewport.
Tip
You control the number and layout of viewports with the viewport icon in the
viewer's toolbar.
3.2. Common Tree View Shortcuts

Commonly available tree view shortcuts, which are accessible by right-clicking an object in a tree, include:
Command Description
New (or Insert) Inserts an object. In the details view for the new object, the Locations setting, or
similar setting as applicable, is preset to the name(s) of the selected object(s).
Edit Edits the selected object in a details view.a
Edit in Command Edits the selected object(s) in the Command Editor dialog boxa. For details, see
Editor Command Editor (p. 291).
Duplicate Creates a new object of the same type as, and with the same settings as, the
selected object.
Delete Deletes the selected object(s).
a
An expression that is set as an input parameter in ANSYS Workbench cannot be edited in CFX-Pre or CFD-Post (because the results
of such edits are not passed to ANSYS Workbench) and will be grayed out. However, the expression can be declared to no longer be
an input parameter or it can be deleted.
3.3. Details Views

Details view is a generic term used to describe an editor for the settings of a CCL object. A details view
for a particular kind of object (such as a plane object) may be referenced by the name of the type of
object being edited, followed by the word “details view” (for example, for the Wireframe object, the
Wireframe details view).
A details view appears after any of the following actions:
• Double-clicking an object in the tree view
• Right-clicking an object in the tree view and selecting Edit from the shortcut menu
• Highlighting an object in the tree view and clicking Edit from the shortcut menu
• Clicking OK on a dialog box used to begin the creation of a new object
Outline Workspace
• Clicking an object in the Viewer when in pick mode
• Right-clicking on an object in the Viewer and selecting Edit from the shortcut menu
You use the Details view to define the properties of an object. The Details view contains one or more
tabs, depending on the type of object being defined.
Many properties can be set via a CEL expression. To enter an expression:
1. Click in the field for a property.
2. Click the Enter Expression icon that appears beside the field. This enables the field to accept an expression
name.
3. Either enter an expression definition directly, or type the name of an existing expression. You must ensure
that the expression evaluates to a value having appropriate units for the property that uses the expression.
For details on CEL expressions, see Expressions Workspace (p. 54).
For CFX components in ANSYS Workbench, any CEL expression can be made into a parameterized CEL
expression by defining it as a Workbench input parameter. You can do this by creating an expression
and parameterizing it by right-clicking it in the Expression editor. You can then use that expression as
the value of a property.
You can change a property from being specified by a Workbench input parameter. However, the corres-
ponding CEL expression persists and can be managed by the Expression editor.
Details View Controls

Details views contain the following buttons:
• Apply applies the information contained within all the tabs of an editor.
• OK is the same as Apply, except that the editor automatically closes.
• Cancel and Close both close the editor without applying or saving any changes.
• Reset returns the settings for the object to those stored in the database for all the tabs. The settings are
stored in the database each time the Apply button is clicked.
• Defaults restores the system default settings for all the tabs of the edited object.
3.4. Outline Workspace

The Outline workspace consists of objects in a tree view and a Details view where you can edit those
objects; the tree view appears in the top half of that pane. The Details view appears beneath the tree
view. For details, see Details Views (p. 16).
You access the Outline workspace by clicking the Outline tab.
After starting CFD-Post and loading a results file, several special objects will exist in the Outline work-
space. All of these special objects can have some of their properties edited, but the objects themselves
cannot be created or deleted using CFD-Post (without using CCL commands). These objects are described
in the following sections:
• Case Branch (p. 27)
• User Locations and Plots (p. 32)
• Report (p. 33)
Objects that do not exist after loading a results file are described in CFD-Post Insert Menu (p. 147).
Shortcuts available to the tree view are described in Outline Tree View Shortcuts (p. 18).
Some of the settings and buttons in a details view of the Outline workspace are common for different
object types; these are described in Outline Details View (p. 19).
3.4.1. Outline Tree View Shortcuts

Shortcuts for editing and manipulating objects are accessible by right-clicking, in the tree view, on one
object or a selection of objects. A selection of multiple objects can be made using Ctrl and/or Shift
keys while clicking objects with the mouse.
The following table shows commands that are specific to the Outline tree view. For a list of shortcuts
that appear in most tree views, see Common Tree View Shortcuts (p. 16).
Command Description
Show Makes the selected objects visible in the viewer.
Hide Makes the selected objects invisible in the viewer.
Hide All Makes all objects, except the wireframe object, invisible in
the viewer.
Refresh Preview Refreshes the report. For details, see Refreshing the
Report (p. 47).
Load ‘<template>’ Loads the registered template having the name indicated
template by <template>. For details, see Report Templates (p. 37).
Report Templates Allows you to select a report template. For details, see
Report Templates (p. 37).
Add to Report Sets the selected report objects to appear in the report the
next time the report is generated.
Remove from Report Sets the selected report objects to not appear in the report
the next time the report is generated.
Add All to Report Sets all report objects to appear in the report the next time
the report is generated.
Move Up Moves the selected objects up one level in the report so
as to appear closer to the beginning of the report in relation
to the other report objects.
Move Down Moves the selected objects down one level in the report
so as to appear closer to the end of the report in relation
to the other report objects.
Show in Separate Displays the selected chart in its own window.
Window
Replace results file Replaces the selected results file with another results file
while keeping the state. This is the recommended
Outline Workspace
Command Description
procedure; reloading the results file through the Load
Results panel may not recover the state completely, in
particular when Turbo Post is initialized. Note that the Re-
place results file function will keep the original case name
even though the results file has changed.
3.4.2. Outline Details View

A details view appears at the bottom of the Outline workspace when you open an object in the tree
view for editing (which is described in Details Views (p. 16)). Some Outline details views have tabs in
common.
3.4.2.1. Geometry Tab

The definition of geometry is unique for each graphic object. The basic procedure for geometry set up
involves defining the size and location of the object, with most other properties being object specific.
For details, see CFD-Post Insert Menu (p. 147).
3.4.2.1.1. Selecting Domains

For many objects you can select the Domains in which the object should exist.
To select the domain, pick a domain name from the drop-down Domains menu. To define the object
in more than one domain, you can type in the names of the domains separated by commas or click
the Location editor icon.
When more than one domain has been used, most plotting functions can be applied to the entire
computational domain, or to a specific named domain.
3.4.2.2. Color Tab

The Color details tab controls the color of graphic objects in the Viewer. The coloring can be either
constant or based on a variable, and can be selected from the Mode drop-down menu.
The Color details tab enables you to view and/or edit the properties of the tree view's Display
Properties and Defaults > Color Maps definitions; System colors are view-only but Custom
colors can be edited.
The default color map appears in bold text.
3.4.2.2.1. Mode: Constant

To specify a single color for an object, select the Constant option from the Mode drop-down menu.
To choose a color, click the Color selector icon to the right of the Color option and select one of
the available colors. Alternatively, click the color bar itself to cycle through ten common colors quickly.
Use the left and right mouse buttons to cycle in opposite directions.
3.4.2.2.2. Mode: Variable and Use Plot Variable

You may want to plot a variable on an object, such as temperature on a plane. To do this, you should
select the Variable option from the Mode drop-down menu. This displays additional options, including
the Variable drop-down menu where you can choose the variable you want to plot.
The list of variables contains User Level 1 variables. For a full list of variables, click More variables
For isosurface and vector plots, the Use Plot Variable option is also available. This sets the variable
used to color your plot to the same as that used to define it.
3.4.2.2.3. Range
Range enables you to plot using the global, local, or a user specified range of a variable. The range affects
the variation of color used when plotting the object in the viewer. The lowest values of a variable in
the selected range are shown in blue in the viewer; the highest values are shown in red.
• The Global range option uses the variable values from the results in all domains (regardless of the domains
selected on the Geometry tab) and all time steps (when applicable) to determine the minimum and max-
imum values.
• The Local range option uses only the variable values on the current object at the current time step to set
the maximum and minimum range values. This option is useful to use the full color range on an object.
• The User Specified range option enables you to specify your own maximum and minimum range values.
You can use this to concentrate the full color range into a specific variable range.
You should not select the Local Range option when coloring an isosurface or turbo surface with the
variable used to define it. In this case, the Local Range would be zero by definition, and the plot
would highlight only round-off errors.
3.4.2.2.4. Hybrid/Conservative
Select whether the object you want to plot will be based on hybrid or conservative values. For details,
see Hybrid and Conservative Variable Values.
3.4.2.2.5. Color Scale

The color scale can be mapped using a linear or logarithmic scale. For a linear scale, the color map is
divided evenly over the whole variable range. For a logarithmic scale, the color scale is plotted against
a log scale of the variable values.
3.4.2.2.6. Color Map

The colors along the color bar in the legend are specified by this option.
• Rainbow uses a standard mapping from blue (minimum) to red (maximum).
• Rainbow 6 uses an extension of the standard Rainbow map from blue (minimum) to magenta (maximum).
• Zebra creates six contours over the specified range of values. Between each pair of contour lines, the color
scale varies from white (minimum) to black and through to white (maximum) again. The Zebra map can
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be used to show areas where the gradient of a variable changes most rapidly with a higher resolution (five
times greater) than the standard Greyscale color map
• Greyscale changes in color from black (minimum) to white (maximum).
3.4.2.2.6.1. Accessing the CFD-Post Color Map Editor
The CFD-Post Color Map editor enables you to define and name a set of colors (a color map) that you
can then apply to an object by using that object's Color tab.
To access the Color Map editor, you can:
• From the menu bar, select Insert > Color Map.
• From an object's Color tab (when the Mode is set to Variable), click the icon beside the Color Map
field and select Insert, Edit, or Duplicate.
• From the Outline view under Display Properties and Defaults > Color Maps, select a System or Custom
color map, right-click, and select either Insert, Edit, or Duplicate.
A System color map can be set as the default, but otherwise cannot be edited directly. However,
you can duplicate a System color map and use that as a basis for a Custom color map (which will
be completely editable).
Depending on how you access the Color Map editor, it may appear as a dialog box or as a details view.
To learn how to use the Color Map editor, see Color Map Command (p. 219).
3.4.2.2.7. Undefined Color

Undef. Color is the color that is used in areas where the results cannot be plotted because the variable
is not defined or variable values do not exist.
For example, a section of an object that lies outside the computational domain will not have any variable
value.
Clicking the Color selector icon to the right of this box allows you to change the undefined color.
Alternatively, click the color bar itself to cycle through ten common colors quickly. Values written to
the results file as zeros are colored as such and will not be undefined. For example, consider results
files containing Yplus/Wall Shear values away from a wall boundary.
3.4.2.3. Symbol Tab

Enables you to configure the appearance of a symbol.
3.4.2.3.1. Symbol
Selects the style of the symbol to be displayed.
3.4.2.3.2. Symbol size

Specifies the size of the symbol where 0 is the smallest and 10 is the largest.
3.4.2.4. Render Tab

The appearance of the Render tab depends on what type of object is plotted in the viewer.
3.4.2.4.1. Show Faces

The top half of the tab controls the Show Faces options. This toggle is selected by default and draws
the faces of the elements that make up an object. The faces are colored using the settings on the Color
tab. When Show Faces is selected, the following options can be set:
3.4.2.4.2. Show Faces: Transparency

Set the Transparency value for the faces of the object by entering a value between 0 (opaque) and 1
(transparent), or use the embedded slider.
Note
For volume rendering objects, transparency is set on the Geometry tab.
3.4.2.4.3. Show Faces: Draw Mode

Shading properties can be None, Flat Shading, or Smooth Shading.
• Flat Shading: Each element is colored a constant color. Color interpolation is not used across or between
elements.
• Smooth Shading: Color interpolation is applied that results in color variation across an element based on
the color of surrounding elements.
• Draw as Lines: This option draws lines but uses the color settings defined on the Color tab. The color settings
that are applied to the lines use Smooth Shading. You must use the Screen Capture feature to print an
image or create an animation containing lines drawn using this option. (See Animation Options Dialog
Box (p. 259) for details on the Screen Capture feature.)
Note
Optionally, you can edit the face you want to show as lines to disable Show Faces and to
enable Show Mesh Lines. The resulting display will be similar to Draw as Lines, but in
constant-color mode only.
• Draw as Points: This option draws points at the intersection of each line, using the color scheme defined
on the Color tab. You must use the Screen Capture feature to print an image containing this option.
3.4.2.4.4. Show Faces: Face Culling
Note
Face Culling affects only printouts performed using use Screen Capture method.
Outline Workspace
Toggle Face Culling (removal) of the front or back faces of the polygons that form the graphic object.
This allows you to clear visibility for element faces of objects that either face outwards (front) or inwards
(back). Domain boundaries always have a normal vector that points outwards from the domain. The
two sides of a thin surface therefore have normal vectors that point towards each other.
• Selecting Front clears visibility for all outward-facing element faces. This would, for example, clear visibility
for one side of a plane or the outward facing elements of a cylinder locator. When applied to a volume object,
the first layer of element faces that point outwards are rendered invisible. You will also generally need to
use face culling when viewing values on thin surface boundaries, which are defined using a wall boundary
on two 2D regions that occupy the same spatial location.
If you want to plot a variable on a thin surface, you will need to select Front Face culling for both
2D regions that make up the thin surface to view the plot correctly. As shown by the two previous
diagrams, viewing only the back faces means that the data for the inward facing surfaces is always
visible.
• Selecting Back clears visibility for inward-facing element faces (the faces on the opposite side to the normal
vector). When applied to volume objects, the effect of back culling is not always visible in the viewer because
the object elements that face outward obscure the culled faces. It can, however, reduce the render time
when further actions are performed on the object. The effect of this would be most noticeable for large
volume objects. In the same way as for Front Face culling, it clears visibility of one side of surface locators.
• No culling shows element faces when viewed from either side.
3.4.2.4.5. Show Faces: Lighting

When selected, surfaces appear realistically shaded to emphasize shape. Clear this check box when you
want to see variable colors that match the legend colors.
3.4.2.4.6. Show Faces: Specular Lighting

When selected, objects appear shiny.
3.4.2.4.7. Show Mesh Lines

Show Mesh Lines can be selected to show the edge lines of the mesh elements in an object. When
selected, the following options are available:
3.4.2.4.8. Show Mesh Lines: Edge Angle

This can be altered to enable the same editing features on each object as for the whole wireframe. For
details, see Wireframe (p. 32).
3.4.2.4.9. Show Mesh Lines: Line Width

Set the line width by entering the width of the line in pixels. Set the value between 1 and 11; you can
use the graduated arrows, the embedded slider, or type in a value.
3.4.2.4.10. Show Mesh Lines: Color Mode

The line color can be set as Default or User Specified.
Default sets the line to CFD-Post default color scheme (set using Options dialog box in Edit menu).
User Specified allows you to pick the color. For details, see Show Mesh Lines: Line Color (p. 24).
3.4.2.4.11. Show Mesh Lines: Line Color
Line color can be changed by clicking the Color selector icon to the right of the Color box and se-
lecting a color. Alternatively, click the color bar itself to cycle through ten common colors quickly. Use
the left and right mouse buttons to cycle in opposite directions.
3.4.2.4.12. Apply Texture

Textures are images that are pasted (mapped) onto the faces of an object. They are used to make an
object look like it is made of a certain type of material, or to add special labels, logos, or other custom
markings on an object.
3.4.2.4.13. Apply Texture: Predefined Textures

To use a predefined texture map, set Type to Predefined and set Texture to the desired material
type using the drop-down menu. Options include brick and various types of metal.
Enable Blend to blend the texture with the object color specified from the Color tab.
Blend allows the colors of the texture to combine with the basic color of the object. For example, if a
white object is given the texture Metal, the object looks like silver. If the basic color of the object is
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orange, the object looks like copper. With the Blend feature turned off, the basic color of the object
has no effect and colors depends only on the texture.
3.4.2.4.14. Apply Texture: Custom Textures

To use a custom texture map, set Type to Custom.
An Image File (either a bitmap or ppm file) must be specified. The dimensions of the image, in pixels,
should be powers of two. If the texture image has a number of rows not equal to a power of two, some
rows are removed (with an even distribution) until the number remaining is a power of two. The same
is true for the number of columns. For example, an image with dimensions 65 by 130 is reduced to an
image 64 by 128 before it is applied (the file will not be changed, though).
There are two basic kinds of texture mapping available; textures can either move with the object, as if
painted on, or textures can “slide” across objects, producing a “shiny metal” effect. The latter kind of
texture mapping is activated by turning on the Sphere-Map feature.
When Sphere-Map is not used, the following additional features apply:
• Tile: Causes the texture image to be repeated.
• Position: Controls the position of the mapped image relative to the object.
• Direction: Controls the direction in which the texture is stamped on the object.
The texture appears undistorted when the object is viewed in this direction.
• Scale: Controls the size of the mapped texture relative to the object.
• Angle: Controls the texture image orientation about the axis specified by Direction.
3.4.2.4.15. Apply Texture: Texture Examples

The next two figures show an object with a gold texture map and an object with a brick texture map.
Note that the brick pattern was applied in the direction of the Y axis, which is roughly going from the
lower-left corner to the upper-right corner of the figure. The texture is applied to all faces of the object
(locator) ignoring the Y coordinate. This results in the texture becoming smeared in the specified Dir-
ection.
To avoid this, textures can be applied to smaller locators (that is, ones that cover only a portion of the
whole object). The Direction setting can then be specified using a direction approximately perpendic-
ular to each of the smaller surfaces. Smaller locators can be found in the tree view (for example, under
Regions).
3.4.2.5. View Tab

The View tab is used for creating or applying predefined Instance Transforms for a wide variety of objects.
For details on Instance Transforms, see Instance Transform Command (p. 214).
3.4.2.5.1. Apply Rotation Check Box

3.4.2.5.1.1. Method, Axis, From, To
These settings specify an axis of rotation. For details, see Method (p. 215).
3.4.2.5.1.2. Angle
The Angle setting specifies the angle of rotation about the axis. For details, see Angle (p. 216).
3.4.2.5.2. Apply Translation Check Box

Select the Apply Translation check box to move the object in the Viewer. For details, see Apply
Translation Check Box (p. 216).
3.4.2.5.3. Apply Reflection/Mirroring Check Box

Select the Apply Reflection/Mirroring check box to mirror an object in the Viewer. For details, see
Apply Reflection Check Box (p. 216).
3.4.2.5.4. Apply Scale Check Box

Select the Scale check box to set values in the X, Y, and Z directions to scale the object about the origin.
For example, entering [2,1,1] would stretch the object to double its size in the X axis direction.
Note
If you apply scaling to one or more domains in a multidomain case (including any case that
has multiple domains due to the use of data instancing), the resulting domains will generally
not be located correctly relative to each other.
3.4.2.5.5. Apply Instancing Transform Check Box

The Transform setting specifies a predefined Instancing Transform.
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3.4.3. Case Branch

The tree view contains one case branch for each loaded results file or mesh file. The case name is the
name of the results file, less the extension.
Tip
To see the full path to the case file, hover the mouse pointer over the case name.
A case branch contains all domains, subdomains, boundaries, and Mesh Regions contained in the
corresponding results file.
Double-clicking on the case branch name displays the View tab in the details view. Select the Apply
Translation check box to move the object in the Viewer. For details, see Apply Translation Check
Box (p. 216).
Double-clicking a domain name displays the domain details view.
3.4.3.1. Domain Details View

A domain object represents each domain loaded from the results file. You can edit the properties of
domains by right-clicking on them in the tree view and selecting Edit.
3.4.3.1.1. Instancing Tab

Instancing affects the display of objects; it allows multiple copies of objects to be displayed with a
specified geometric transformation describing the relative positions. For example, a row of turbine
blades can be visualized by applying instancing to an object that shows a single blade.
The Instancing tab for a domain is the same as the Instancing tab for a turbo component (see Instancing
Tab (p. 299)) and similar to the Definition tab for an Instance Transform object (see Instance Transform:
Definition Tab (p. 214)). (The Definition tab for an Instance Transform object is different in that its Axis
Definition settings and Instance Definition settings cannot be set from a results file.)
Any viewable object that is associated with one or more domains is, by default, affected by a change
to the instancing information (as defined on the Instancing tab) of each associated domain, because:
• By default, such an object uses the default transform to control graphical instancing.
• By default, the default transform has the Instancing Info From Domain option selected.
• The Instancing Info From Domain option causes the graphical instancing information to be taken from
each domain (as defined on the Instancing tab) that is associated with the object.
3.4.3.1.2. Info Tab

Certain information that CFD-Post reads from the results file is displayed on the Info panel. The units
that are shown beside some quantities are the default CFD-Post units, which you can change by selecting
Edit > Options from the main menu bar.
3.4.3.1.3. Data Instancing Tab

The Data Instancing tab is available only for transient blade row cases. On this tab, the Number of
Data Instances setting can be used to effectively increase the number of blade passages in a given
domain. Unlike graphical instancing, data instancing does not, in general, create identical instances of
a given domain; instead data instancing creates new instances that can differ in geometry and/or
solution data, as appropriate for each instance.
Data instancing alters the geometric representation of the domain mesh and the solution data associated
with it. The mesh and solution data that were read from the results file are “expanded” by the number
of instances specified such that the domain and its solution data then appear to encompass the original
and instanced meshes. Such instancing of the solution data is carried out by using the Fourier coefficients
that are stored in the results file.
In this documentation, the term “expanded domain” is used to refer to the domain after instancing has
been applied.
The following features of CFD-Post are affected by data instancing:
Feature Effect of Data Instancing

Wireframe This object represents the wireframe of all non-expanded domains
and expanded domains as defined by the Number of Data In-
stances setting.
Domain objects These objects have no graphical representation beyond the tree
and are not replicated.
Boundary and Subdomain These objects are not replicated as objects but will be instanced
objects in the viewer and affect evaluation of data when the object is
used as a locator.
Mesh regions These objects are not replicated and only the original definition
is represented in the viewer. Data instancing does not affect
evaluation of solution data when mesh regions are used as
locators.
Solution data Solution data (which may be used for coloring the locator) is
available throughout the expanded domain.
Locations (such as planes, Locations are not instanced, but act as if the domain has been
volumes, and isosurfaces) expanded. For example, the application of data instancing can:
• Cause the extension of a plane into the expanded domain
• Cause the relocation of a point that is located according to the

minimum value of a variable. The relocated point can be anywhere
in the expanded domain.
Vector, contour, streamline, Solution data is available throughout the expanded domain. A
particle track, volume plot defined on an expanded domain will be displayed where
rendering appropriate in the expanded domain. For example, streamlines
will be drawn as continuous lines when continuing from one
instance of the original mesh to the next.
Charts (such as Blade These objects act as if the domain has been expanded. Charts
Loading, Circumferential, Hub that involve circumferential averaging (that is, Hub to Shroud,
Inlet to Outlet, Meridional) use averaging over only the existing
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Feature Effect of Data Instancing

to Shroud, Inlet to Outlet, data instances (including the original mesh); therefore for these
and Meridional) plots, there should be a sufficient number of data instances to
constitute a repeating section of the full wheel.
Mesh Calculator Mesh calculations return values that are not affected by the
Number of Data Instances setting.
Function Calculator Calculations are performed on the expanded mesh and data.
Turbo Surface, Turbo Line A turbo surface acts as if the domain has been expanded. It
appears only within the expanded domain.
A turbo line made using the Inlet to Outlet or Hub to

Shroud methods is drawn where specified, but data is available
only where the turbo line intersects the expanded domain. The
same applies for a turbo line made using the Circumferential
method with defined Theta limits. However, a turbo line made
using the Circumferential method with Bounds > Type set
to None, is drawn according to the theta extent of the expanded
domain.
Blade-to-blade plot Blade-to-blade plots act as if the domain has been expanded.
They appear only within the expanded domain.
Instance Transform and Graphical instancing of viewable objects is performed after those
Graphical Instancing objects have been expanded geometrically as defined above.
You may find that a combination of data instancing and graphical

instancing is appropriate. For example, data instancing can be
applied on a portion of the blade row, then graphical instancing
can be applied to produce a graphical object (such as a contour
plot) that covers the full geometry.
Applying both data instancing and graphical instancing can, if

not done correctly, produce overlapping graphics (with multiple
blade passages plotted in the same space). You should ensure
that, for the graphical instancing settings, the number of passages
per component is set appropriately; typically, the appropriate
value is the number of passages in the expanded domain.
Graphical Scaling If you apply graphical scaling (Apply Scale Check Box (p. 26)) to
a domain that has data instancing applied, the resulting instances
of the domain will generally not be located correctly relative to
each other.
Case Comparison mode Case Comparison mode cannot be used when any of the cases
being compared involves the use of data instancing.
Note
When loading a results file via the Load Results File dialog box, the Construct Variables
From Fourier Coefficients option must be selected in order for CFD-Post to read the Fourier
coefficient data, which makes data instancing possible. For details, see Load Results Com-
mand (p. 91).
Note
Global ranges apply to only the set of data instances that you have generated and for only
the time steps that you have loaded. Creating and deleting data instances, or loading other
time steps, can cause the global range to change.
Note
Some quantities are time independent and therefore are unchanged for each data instance.
For example, the global range of a contour plot of Pressure varies according to the number
of data instances but the global range of a contour plot of Pressure.trnavg is unaffected
by the number of data instances.
3.4.3.2. Boundary and Subdomain

All boundaries and subdomains associated with a domain are listed under the domain.
The Boundary and Subdomain object types are defined during preprocessing and created in CFD-Post
when a file is loaded. You cannot create additional boundary or subdomain objects during postprocessing,
or delete the existing ones.
A boundary object exists for each boundary condition defined in the results file. Any mesh regions that
were not specifically assigned a boundary condition appear in a default boundary object for each domain.
If you have a complex geometry where many mesh regions are assigned to the default boundary con-
ditions, it may be worth defining named boundary conditions for some of the regions when they are
created, even though you still apply the default wall boundary condition to these named regions. You
will then have convenient boundary objects created in CFD-Post upon which you can view variables
when you come to view the results.
Subdomain objects exist only if Subdomains are defined during preprocessing.
You can edit both the Color and Render properties of Boundary and Subdomain objects. For details,
see
• Color Tab (p. 19)
• Render Tab (p. 22).
3.4.3.3. Other Locations

Any User Locations that are available are listed (for example, User Surfaces that are specified in the
Monitor Surfaces section of CFX-Pre). For more information, see User Locations in the CFX-Pre User's
Guide.
You can edit both the Color and Render properties of User Surface objects. For details, see:
• Color Tab (p. 19)
Outline Workspace
• Render Tab (p. 22).
3.4.3.4. Spray
The Spray object only becomes available after loading a Forte results file. Spray objects share many of
the common features found in CFD-Post, as well some unique features.
3.4.3.4.1. Spray: Geometry Tab

3.4.3.4.1.1. Domains
See Selecting Domains (p. 19).
3.4.3.4.1.2. Reduction Type
Reduction Type enables you to reduce the number of particles present in the Spray object. There are
two options.
Option Setting Description

Reduction Reduction Reduces the
Factor number of particles
by the factor
specified in Reduc-
tion.
Maximum Maximum Limits the number
Number of of particles to no
Particles more than specified
in Maximum.
3.4.3.4.2. Spray: Color Tab

See Color Tab (p. 19).
3.4.3.4.3. Spray: Symbol Tab

See Symbol Tab (p. 21).
Since, by default, particles generated in a Spray object will have different sizes, you can select Constant
to make all particles respect the Symbol Size. If Particle Diameter is selected, the particles will maintain
their relative sizes while still scaling with Symbol Size.
3.4.3.4.4. Spray: Render Tab

See Render Tab (p. 22).
3.4.3.4.5. Spray: View Tab

See View Tab (p. 26).
3.4.3.5. Mesh Regions

All of the primitive and composite region names are listed under Mesh Regions.
3.4.4. User Locations and Plots

The following objects appear under User Locations and Plots:
• User-defined locators
You can define a variety of locators, such as points, lines, planes, and volumes; for details, see Location
Submenu (p. 148).
• Transforms
Instance transforms are used to specify how an object should be drawn multiple times. CFD-Post can
create instance transforms using rotation, translation, and reflection; for details, see Instance Transform
Command (p. 214).
• Legends
Legends can be displayed in the viewer to show the relationship between colors and values for the
locators you insert; for details, see Legend Command (p. 210).
• Wireframe
The Wireframe object contains the surface mesh for your geometry; for details, see Wireframe (p. 32).
3.4.4.1. Wireframe
The Wireframe object contains the surface mesh for your geometry and is created as a default object
when you load a file into CFD-Post. You can change how much of the surface mesh you want to see
by altering the Edge Angle (see the following section), as well as the line thickness and color.
You toggle the visibility of the wireframe on and off by clicking on the Wireframe check box in the
Outline tree view. To change the way the wireframe displays, double-click Wireframe.
Note
You cannot create additional Wireframe objects.
3.4.4.1.1. Wireframe: Definition Tab

The Definition tab contains the settings listed below. After making changes, click Apply to make those
changes visible.
• Domains specifies the domains on which the wireframe is displayed. The option All Domains refers to
all domains except immersed solid domains. To include all immersed solid domains, add All Immersed
Solid Domains to the selection.
• Show Surface Mesh controls whether you see edges and surfaces, or only edges, when the wireframe is
visible.
• Edge Angle determines how much of the wireframe is drawn. The edge angle is the angle between one
edge of a mesh face and its neighboring face. Setting an edge angle in CFD-Post defines a minimum angle
for drawing parts of the surface mesh. For example, if an edge angle of 30 degrees is chosen, any edges
shared by faces with an angle between them of 30 degrees or more is drawn. 30 degrees is the default edge
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angle; if you want to see more of the wireframe, reduce the edge angle. To change the wireframe’s edge
angle, set Edge Angle to a new value.
• Color Mode determines the color of the lines in the wireframe. To change the wireframe’s line color, set
Color Mode to User Specified and click the color bar to select a new color.
• Line Width determines the thickness of the lines in the wireframe. To change the wireframe’s line width,
set Line Width to a new value.
3.4.4.1.2. Wireframe: View Tab

For details on changing the view settings, see View Tab (p. 26).
3.4.5. Report
CFD-Post automatically makes available a report of the output of your simulation. You can control the
contents of the report in the Outline workspace, see the available sections of the report in the Report
Viewer, add new sections in the Comment Viewer, and publish the report in HTML or in plain text
form.
Here is an example of a report that uses the generic template; if you have a RES file loaded in CFD-Post,
you can see a similar report by clicking on the Report Viewer tab at the bottom of the Viewer area.
Note
The sample report shown in Figure 3.2: A Sample Report, Part 1 (p. 34), Figure 3.3: A Sample
Report, Part 2 (p. 35), and Figure 3.4: A Sample Report, Part 3 (p. 36) is taken from a Re-
port.html file, much like the one that you generate when you click the Publish button
.
Figure 3.2: A Sample Report, Part 1
Outline Workspace
A report is defined by the Report object and the objects stored under it. The Report object, like
other objects, can be saved to, and restored from, a state file. For details, see File Types Used and Pro-
duced by CFD-Post (p. 115). Only one Report object exists in a CFD-Post session.
3.4.5.1. Omitting Default Report Sections

You can remove major sections of the report by expanding the Report section in the Outline tree view
and clearing the check box beside the section to be omitted. To see the results of such operations,
right-click Report and select Refresh Preview.
Note
The Title Page option controls the inclusion of the logo, title, dates, and Table of Contents
sections.
3.4.5.2. Changing the Default Report Sections

To change a default section, click the section name in the Outline tree view and click Edit.
Outline Workspace
For the Title Page, you can:
• Add a new logo (JPG or PNG only)
• Remove the ANSYS logo
• Change the report's title
• Add the author's name
• Control the display of the date and the table of contents.
After making changes, click Apply and Refresh Preview to see the results in the Report Viewer.
The other report pages control detailed information about the mesh, physics, and solution. Again, after
making changes, click Apply and Refresh Preview to see the results in the Report Viewer.
3.4.5.3. Adding New Sections to a Report

You can add new sections by using the Comment Viewer tab (at the bottom of the viewer pane):
1. In the Comment Viewer toolbar, click New Comment to ready the Comment Viewer for editing.
2. Add a title for your new section in the Heading field.
3. Set the level of the heading in the Level field (use "1" for new sections; "2" for subsections, and so on).
4. Type your text in the large, white text-entry field (HTML code is not accepted as it is generated automat-
ically).
5. When your new section is complete, select its name in the Outline tree view under Report, then press
Ctrl+Up Arrow (or Ctrl+Down Arrow) to move the new section in the report hierarchy.
6. To see how the report will look, right-click Report and select Refresh Preview. The updated report appears
in the Report Viewer. To publish the report (that is, to make the report available in a file that others can
see), right-click Report and select Publish.
7. In the Publish Reports dialog box, you can choose where to save the report. You can also choose to
produce CVF files that can be viewed in the ANSYS CFD-Viewer or Microsoft PowerPoint (with the ANSYS
CFD-Viewer installed). The ANSYS CFD-Viewer installer executable is in the CFX\viewer directory in
your product installation.
If you click More Options, you can change the type of graphics files and charts used and their
size.
8. To save the report, click OK. The report is written to the file you specified.
3.4.5.4. Report Templates

Report templates are available for rapidly setting up application-specific reports. Depending on the in-
formation contained in a results file, a report template will be selected automatically, and made available
as a command in the following places:
• The File > Report menu
• The shortcut menu that appears when you right-click the Report object.
In the same places, there is a Report Templates command that invokes the Report Templates dialog
box. This dialog box allows you to:
• Browse the list of existing templates.
• Add (register) a template.
To do this:
1. Click Add template on the Report Templates dialog box to invoke the Template Properties dialog
box.
2. Select a state or session file that contains a report; alternatively, you can choose to use the current state
of CFD-Post, and provide a file name to which to save the template.
3. Provide a name and description for the template. You cannot use the name of an existing template.
4. If you are loading a state or session file, and the file name does not end in .cst or .cse, set the Exe-
cution setting to either State or Session, as applicable.
• View and/or edit the properties of a template.
To do this:
1. Click Edit Properties on the Report Templates dialog box to invoke the Template Properties dialog
box.
2. View and/or edit the name, description, and path to the template file, as applicable. You can edit the
properties for templates that were added, but not the standard templates.
• Delete templates from the set of available templates.
You can delete only the templates that were added. To do this:
1. Select a user template in the Report Templates dialog box.
2. Click Delete .
3.4.5.4.1. Turbo Report Templates

Postprocessing within CFD-Post is fully automated using the turbomachinery report templates. The
turbo reports are designed for single-phase fluid analyses, and can only be used with steady-state cases.
The turbo reports can be used for individual bladerows of a multi-bladerow analysis by loading each
Outline Workspace
bladerow domain separately into CFD-Post using the domain selector. (To enable the domain selector,
click the Edit > Options menu, select Files and select the Show domain selector before load option.)
Important
• Turbo reports attempt to auto-initialize Turbo mode. However if auto-initialization fails, you must
initialize Turbo mode manually and re-run the turbo report.
• CFD-Post cannot automatically detect a solution that is "360 Case Without Periodics", so you
need to set this manually.
• Turbo report templates are not designed for multifile usage or comparison mode. In these cases:
– User charts that contain local variables will not have plots showing the differences in compar-
ison mode.
– Tables will not show differences in comparison mode.
– There will be only one picture of the meridional view of the blades (corresponding to the first
loaded results file).
• Because transient blade row results are different in each passage, Turbo Reports are not designed
for transient blade row cases, and results may not be what is expected. Plots in Turbo reports
that appear to show multiple passages actually show copies of the first passage and not expanded
passages. In other words, the turbo report tool follows the same behavior of any other solution
method; that is, it makes an instanced copy of the first passage and plots the variables there.
These are the variables required for all Release 18.0 turbo reports:
CFX Variables Required for all Release 18.0 Turbo Reports
• Density
• Force X
• Force Y
• Force Z
• Pressure
• Total Pressure
• Total Pressure in Stn Frame
• Rotation Velocity
• Velocity
• Velocity in Stn Frame u
• Velocity in Stn Frame v
• Velocity in Stn Frame w
• Velocity in Stn Frame
• Velocity in Stn Frame Flow Angle
• Velocity Flow Angle
• Velocity in Stn Frame Circumferential
• Velocity Circumferential
• Velocity Meridional
Note
If all of the turbo components in the results file are 'stationary', then variables having names
ending with 'in Stn Frame' are not required.
Fluent Variables Required for all Release 18.0 Turbo Reports
• Density
• Static Pressure
• Total Pressure
• X Velocity
• Y Velocity
• Z Velocity
In addition to the variables mentioned above, the following variables are required for compressible
flow reports:
CFX Variables Required for all Release 18.0 Compressible Flow Turbo Reports
• Temperature
• Total Temperature
• Total Temperature in Stn Frame
• Static Enthalpy
• Total Enthalpy
• Total Enthalpy in Stn Frame
• Isentropic Total Enthalpy
• Polytropic Total Enthalpy
• Total Density in Stn Frame
• Total Density
Outline Workspace
• Specific Heat Capacity at Constant Pressure
• Specific Heat Capacity at Constant Volume
• Rothalpy
• Static Entropy
• Mach Number
• Mach Number in Stn Frame
• Isentropic Compression Efficiency
• Isentropic Expansion Efficiency
Fluent Variables Required for all Release 18.0 Compressible Flow Turbo Reports
• Static Temperature
• Total Temperature
• Enthalpy
• Total Enthalpy
• Specific Heat (Cp)
• Rothalpy
• Entropy
• Mach Number
When variables are missing, lines in the turbo report tables that depend on these variables will be
missing.
3.4.5.4.1.1. Procedures for Using Turbo Reports when Turbomachinery Data is Missing
Results files from Fluent (and from some other sources) will not have all the turbomachinery data that
CFD-Post requires. For turbo results files that lack data about the number of passages, you must do the
following:
1. For Fluent files, prior to loading a turbo report template, create a new variable that the report expects
(but which is not available from Fluent files):
a. From the toolbar, click Variable . The Insert Variable dialog box appears.
b. In the Name field, type Rotation Velocity and click OK. The Details view for Rotation Velocity
appears.
c. In the Expression field, type Radius * abs(omega) / 1 [rad] and click Apply. This expression
calculates the angular speed (in units of length per unit time) as a product of the local radius and
the rotational speed.
2. When you load a turbo report for a case that is missing some variables, an error dialog box appears that
describes warnings and errors. Generally this means that some rows in the turbo report will not appear.
Turbo reports for Fluent files will not display information about absolute Mach number. This causes
charts of Mach number to display only the relative Mach number.
3. For any results file that is missing the number of passages (such as Fluent files and CFX results files not
set up using the Turbo Mode in CFX-Pre), after you load the turbo report template, do the following for
each domain:
a. A <domain_name> Instance Transform appears in the Outline view under User Locations and
Plots. Prior to viewing the report, double-click this name to edit the instance transform. In the # of
Passages field, ensure that the number of passages matches the number of passages in the domain.
If you enter a new number, click Apply.
b. On the Expressions tab, double-click on the expression domain_name Components in 360 to edit
it. Match the definition to the number of components in the domain. If you enter a new number,
click Apply.
4. In the Report Viewer, click Refresh to ensure that the contents are updated.
3.4.5.4.2. Choosing a Turbo Report

If the model was set up using CFX-Pre Turbo Mode, then CFD-Post will automatically be able to determine
which report to load based on the machine type and flow type selected, and will prompt you to load
it. The report can also be loaded manually by right-clicking on the Report item in CFD-Post. To avoid
conflicts with the current CFD-Post state, you should load the report in a clean session.
In the Computed Results table, any values that are shown as “N/A” means that the necessary scalar
variables for computing these values were missing from the results file. This might happen if the solution
was run using an older version of CFX, or if some of the scalar variables were manually disabled.
The report templates are CFD-Post session files located in the CFX install under the etc/PostReports
directory. You can edit these reports or make new versions to add to the list of report templates. The
following table shows the correspondence between the machine type, the flow type settings, and the
report selection.
Machine Type Fluid Type Domain Motion Report Template

(Single Domains
Only)
Pump Any Rotating Pump Impeller
Stationary Stator
Fan Any Rotating Fan
Stationary Stator
Fan Any Rotating Fan Noise
Axial Compressor Compressible Rotating Axial Compressor Rotor
Stationary Stator
Centrifugal Compressor Compressible Rotating Centrifugal Compressor Rotor
Stationary Stator
Outline Workspace
Machine Type Fluid Type Domain Motion Report Template

(Single Domains
Only)
Axial Turbine Compressible Rotating Turbine Rotor
Stationary Turbine Stator
Radial Turbine Compressible Rotating Turbine Rotor
Stationary Turbine Stator
Hydraulic Turbine Incompressible Rotating Hydraulic Turbine Rotor
Stationary Stator
Other Any Rotating Pump Rotor
Stationary Stator
Several reports support postprocessing of results that have multiple components/blade rows.
The reports attempt to group the components into stages; you can control how the stages are formed
by editing the report session file. The new reports include:
AxialCompressorReport.cse
Report template for axial compressors
CentrifugalCompressorReport.cse
Report template for centrifugal compressors
CompressibleTurbineReport.cse
Report template for compressible flow turbines.
HydraulicTurbineReport.cse
Report template for incompressible flow turbines.
PumpReport.cse
Report template for incompressible flow pumps.
Machine Type Fluid Type Report Template

Pump Any Pump
Axial Compressor Compressible Axial Compressor
Centrifugal Compressible Centrifugal
Compressor Compressor
Axial Turbine Compressible Turbine
Radial Turbine Compressible Turbine
Hydraulic Turbine Incompressible Hydraulic Turbine
3.4.5.5. Creating, Viewing, and Publishing Reports

To create or modify a report, do the following:
1. Specify the settings for the report that are contained in the Report object.
For details, see Report Object (p. 44).
2. Specify the settings for the title page that are contained in the Title Page object.
For details, see Title Page Object (p. 45).
3. Decide which predefined tables to use.
For details, see:
• File Report Object (p. 46)
• Mesh Report Object (p. 46)
• Physics Report Object (p. 46)
• Solution Report Object (p. 46)
4. Optionally, create objects that give additional content to the report.
For details, see Adding Objects to the Report (p. 46).
5. Control which objects get included in the report, and the order in which they are included.
For details, see Controlling the Content in the Report (p. 47).
6. Refresh the report.
For details, see Refreshing the Report (p. 47).
You may refresh the report at any time to see the effect of changes you make to the report settings
and content. The report appears on the Report Viewer tab.
You can publish a report so that it can be loaded into a third-party browser or editor. For details, see
Publishing the Report (p. 47).
3.4.5.5.1. Report Object

The settings on the Appearance tab of the Report object are described next.
3.4.5.5.1.1. Figures: File Type
Choose the image format in which you want the image files to be saved.
3.4.5.5.1.2. Figures: Figure Size
Choose the size for figures that appear in the report. There are preset sizes, and an option for setting
a custom size.
3.4.5.5.1.3. Figures: Width and Height
If you set Figure Size to Custom, set the figure width and height in pixels.
3.4.5.5.1.4. Figures: Fit All Figures in the Viewport Before Generation Check Box
When this option is selected, each figure is produced with the view centered and the zoom level set
automatically.
Outline Workspace
3.4.5.5.1.5. Charts: File Type
Choose the image format in which you want the chart files to be saved.
3.4.5.5.1.6. Charts: Chart Size
Choose the size for charts that are saved as part of the report. There are options that specify preset
sizes, an option for using the same size as figures, and an option for setting a custom size.
3.4.5.5.1.7. Charts: Width and Height
If you set Chart Size to Custom, set the chart width and height in pixels.
3.4.5.5.2. Title Page Object

The Title Page object is automatically generated and listed under the Report object. The settings
of this object determine the content of the title page, and are described next.
3.4.5.5.2.1. Custom Logo Check Box
The Custom Logo check box determines whether or not a custom logo is included in the title page.
The logo must be available in a file of compatible format.
3.4.5.5.2.2. Custom Logo
The Custom Logo setting indicates the image file to use for the custom logo.
3.4.5.5.2.3. ANSYS Logo Check Box
The ANSYS Logo check box determines whether or not the ANSYS logo is included in the title page.
The ANSYS logo is shown in Figure 3.2: A Sample Report, Part 1 (p. 34).
3.4.5.5.2.4. Title
The Title setting holds the title of the report.
3.4.5.5.2.5. Author
The Author setting holds the name of the author of the report.
3.4.5.5.2.6. Current Date Check Box
The Current Date check box determines whether or not the date and time are included in the title
page.
3.4.5.5.2.7. Table of Contents Check Box
The Table of Contents check box determines whether or not a table of contents is included in the title
page. An example is shown in Figure 3.2: A Sample Report, Part 1 (p. 34).
Each entry in the table of contents is an active link to the corresponding section of the report. To follow
a link, click the link using the left mouse button.
3.4.5.5.2.8. Table of Contents Check Box: Captions in Table of Contents Check Box
The Captions in Table of Contents check box controls the level of detail in the entries in the table of
contents. When this check box is selected, the entries in the table of contents that link to objects in
the report contain the titles of the objects.
3.4.5.5.3. File Report Object

A File Report object containing a file information table, is automatically generated for each loaded
results file, and listed under the Report object. There are no user-adjustable settings except the check
box in the tree view, which controls whether or not the file information is included in the report. An
example of the file information table is shown in Figure 3.2: A Sample Report, Part 1 (p. 34).
3.4.5.5.4. Mesh Report Object

A Mesh Report object is automatically generated and listed under the Report object. The Mesh
Report object contains settings for a mesh information table and a mesh statistics table. Examples of
the mesh information table and mesh statistics tables are shown in Figure 3.3: A Sample Report, Part
2 (p. 35). The data in these tables are the same as given by the mesh calculator. For details, see Mesh
Calculator (p. 286).
3.4.5.5.5. Physics Report Object

A Physics Report object is automatically generated and listed under the Report object only when
you load a CFX-Solver Results type of file. The Physics Report object allows you to control the
output of physics summary data for domains and boundaries. Examples of the physics summary tables
are shown in Figure 3.3: A Sample Report, Part 2 (p. 35).
3.4.5.5.6. Solution Report Object

A Solution Report object is automatically generated and listed under the Report object only
when you load a CFX-Solver Results type of file. The Solution Report object allows you to control
the output of boundary flow, force, and torque summaries in the report. CFD-Post uses the summary
data contained in the results files.
Note
A results file from a multi-configuration run contains the monitor data for the initial values
case as well as for the case for which the RES file applies. When the case is read, the data
from the entire dataset is amalgamated, and the force, torque, mass flow, and momentum
data is extracted. This may cause the list of boundary conditions in the Outline tree view to
differ from the lists in the Solution Report > Boundary Flow and Force and Torque tables.
However, any such differences will not lead to incorrect results.
Note
The units of the values displayed in a Solution Report object are based on the solution
units used by CFX-Solver, rather than those selected in CFD-Post.
3.4.5.5.7. Adding Objects to the Report

You can create objects of the following types to add additional content to the report:
Outline Workspace
• Tables
For details, see Table Command (p. 221).
• Charts
For details, see Chart Command (p. 226).
• Comments
For details, see Comment Command (p. 247).
• Figures
For details, see Figure Command (p. 247).
Such objects are listed beneath the Report object in the tree view.
3.4.5.5.8. Controlling the Content in the Report

Report objects can be shown or hidden in the report by setting the check box next to them in the
Outline tree view. The changes take effect the next time the report is refreshed or published.
You can control the order of Report objects by selecting one or more, then right-clicking on the se-
lection and using the Move Up and Move Down shortcut menu commands as necessary. You can also
press Ctrl+Up Arrow and Ctrl+Down Arrow to move selected items.
3.4.5.5.9. Refreshing the Report

To refresh the report, you can do any of the following:
• Right-click the Report object, or any of the report objects under it, then select Refresh Preview from the
shortcut menu.
• Click the Refresh Preview button in the details view for the Report object, or any of the report objects
under it that have this button.
• Click the Refresh button in the Report Viewer tab.
• Select File > Report > Refresh Preview.
Note
The first time you visit the Report Viewer tab after loading a results file, the report will be
refreshed automatically.
3.4.5.5.10. Viewing the Report

After the report preview has been generated, you can view it in the Report Viewer tab.
3.4.5.5.11. Publishing the Report

You can publish a report so that it can be loaded into a third-party browser or editor. To publish a report,
click the Publish button in the Report Viewer toolbar to access the Publish Report dialog box, adjust
settings as appropriate, and click OK. You can also access the same dialog box by doing any of the
following:
• Right-click the Report object, or any of the report objects under it, then select Publish.
• Select File > Report > Publish.
3.4.5.5.11.1. Format
Set Format to one of:
• HTML
The HTML option causes the report to be written in an HTML format.
• Text
The Text option causes the report to be written in a plain text format.
3.4.5.5.11.2. File
Set File to the file name to use for saving the report.
3.4.5.5.11.3. Save Images in Separate Directory Check Box
Selecting the Save images in separate directory check box causes all image files to be put in a directory
that is beside the main output file.
3.4.5.5.11.4. Generate CFD Viewer files (CVF) for Figures Check Box
When this option is selected, each figure is saved to a 3D image file in addition to the 2D image file
that is normally saved. The 3D image file has an extension of cvf, and can be viewed in the ANSYS
CFD-Viewer or Microsoft PowerPoint (with the ANSYS CFD-Viewer installed).
The ANSYS CFD-Viewer installer executable is in the CFX\viewer directory in your product installation.
3.4.5.5.11.5. More Options Button
The More Options button opens the Publish Options dialog box. The Publish Options dialog box offers
the same settings as the Report object, and overrides the latter for the purpose of publishing the report.
Note
The Publish Options dialog box settings will be overwritten with the settings of the Report
object if you change or otherwise apply the settings of the latter.
3.4.6. Display Properties and Defaults

The Display Properties and Defaults branch of the Outline tree contains a Color Maps area that is
divided into Custom and System area. Initially, only the System area has entries; these are the default
color map names. You can use any of the default color maps as the basis for color maps that you define,
which are stored in the Custom color map area.
To learn how customize color maps, see Color Map Command (p. 219).
Variables Workspace
3.5. Variables Workspace

The Variables workspace is used to create new user variables and modify existing variables.
The following topics will be discussed:
• Variables Tree View (p. 49)
• Variables Details View (p. 50)
• Variables: Example (p. 53).
3.5.1. Variables Tree View

The Variables tree view displays all variables corresponding to a particular case or pair of cases. Variables
are categorized under the following folders:
• The Derived folder contains variables that are automatically generated by CFD-Post. The Vortex Core
subfolder contains any variables related to vortex cores. For details on vortex cores, see Vortex Core Region
in the CFD-Post User's Guide.
• The Difference folder contains differences in variables between two cases. The Difference folder
becomes available only after Case Comparison has been enabled through the Outline workspace. For
details on Case Comparison, see Case Comparison in the CFD-Post User's Guide.
• The Geometric folder contains mesh statistics such as element volume, edge length ratio and minimum
face angle.
• The Solution folder contains variables generated by solver applications. The subfolders Residuals and
Corrections contain variables related to solution quality. The subfolders Fourier Coefficients
and Transient Statistics contain variables related to transient cases.
Note
When the results file from a transient blade row case is loaded, CFD-Post creates all the
variables with available Fourier Coefficients. The timestep selector defaults to the last time
step in the simulation. Fourier Coefficient vector variables are available only for the non-
expanded domain and are not oriented correctly.
• The Turbo folder contains variables related to turbomachinery, particularly those involving cylindrical co-
ordinates. The variable list in the Turbo folder expands if you initialize turbo components through the
Turbo workspace. For details on the Turbo workspace, see Turbo Workspace (p. 293).
• The User Defined folder contains any new variables created by the user. For details, see User Vari-
ables (p. 52).
• The User Locations and Plots folder contains variables related to streamlines, particle tracks and
user locations from external files.
Variables prefixed by a particular material type are grouped in subfolders. If the variable belongs to
another subfolder, such as Vortex Core or Fourier Coefficients, the material type takes
priority. For example, gas.velocity.helicity appears under Derived > Gas > Vortex Core.
Variables Tree View Shortcuts

The following table shows commands that are specific to the Variables tree view. For a description of
how to access these shortcuts, and a list of commands that appear in most tree views, see Common
Tree View Shortcuts (p. 16).
Command Description
All to Conservative Makes all variables assume conservative values. For details,
All to Hybrid Makes all variables assume hybrid values. For details, see
Hybrid and Conservative Variable Values.
Calculate Velocity Calculates velocity components using the global rotation
Components axis. This can also be done in the Turbo workspace. For
details, see Calculate Velocity Components (p. 318).
3.5.2. Variables Details View

The Variable details view is used to change the definition of fundamental (system) variables, and to
create and edit user variables.
To edit an existing variable, either:
• Double-click the variable in the tree view
• Right-click the variable, then choose Edit from the shortcut menu.
The above actions cause the Variables details view to appear.
Variables Workspace
3.5.2.1. Fundamental Variables

Fundamental variables (variables provided by the solver) can have their units changed. This would enable
you to create a legend that uses alternative temperature units (such as degrees Celsius).
Note
These settings override the global units setting (defined in the Options dialog box, accessible
from the Edit menu).
1. Toggle between Hybrid and Conservative values.
This affects any dependent variables and expressions as well. For details, see Hybrid and Conser-
vative Variable Values.
2. Select the units.
3. Click Reset to restore the variable settings stored in the database.
Use this to undo changes if you have not yet clicked Apply.
3.5.2.1.1. Saving Variables Back to the Results File

In cases other than transient blade row cases, fundamental variables can be redefined using expressions
and then saved back into the results file for later use. To do this, select the Replace with expression
(write to results) check box, enter one or more expressions, then click Apply. To change a vector
variable, you must write three expressions: one expression for each direction (X, Y, and Z). The result
file is updated when you click Apply. To restore a fundamental variable to its original state, clear the
Replace with expression (write to results) check box and click Apply.
One reason for modifying the variables in a results file is to modify the initial conditions for a new
solver run. In this case, you must modify the principal variable for each affected equation.
In CFX-Pre, in most cases, the principal variable for a given equation is the same as the variable used
to specify initial conditions, but there are some exceptions, as shown in the table below:
Equation CFX-Pre Variable Principal Variable

Thermal Energy Temperature Static Enthalpy
Total Energy Temperature Total Enthalpy
Mass Fractions Mass Fraction Conservative Mass Fraction
Volume Fractions Mass Fraction Conservative Volume Fraction
Continuity (with cavitation Pressure Solver Pressure
activated)
For example, to initialize the mass fractions equation in CFX-Pre, you would set Mass Fraction. In
order to modify the initial conditions for the same equation in a results file, you would set Conservat
ive Mass Fraction instead.
Note
• For the thermal energy and total energy equations, you must set Temperature as well as the
principal variable.
• When overwriting the mesh Total Mesh Displacement, the locations of the mesh nodes
in CFD-Post will not be affected, only the variable values.
• For transient blade row cases, solution variables will not be overwritten because the variables
displayed in CFD-Post are not directly loaded from the results file, but are reconstructed from
the available Fourier coefficients stored in the results file.
3.5.2.2. Radius and Theta

The variables Radius and Theta are available only when the rotational axis has been defined. The
rotational axis can either be defined in the results file or in CFD-Post through the Initialization panel
in the Turbo workspace.
3.5.2.3. Boundary-Value-Only Variables

Some variables in the CFX results file take meaningful values only on the boundaries of the geometry.
Examples of this sort of variable are Yplus, Wall Shear, Heat Transfer Coefficient, and
Wall Heat Flux. For detail, refer to the CFX Output File section in the CFX-Solver Manager User's
Guide.
To obtain sensible plots when using these variables, use them to color only boundary objects. If, for
example, you try to color a slice plane through the center of the geometry with one of these variables,
you will see a large area of color that is meaningless; only at the very edges of the geometry will there
be useful coloration.
For boundary-value-only variables, only hybrid values exist (as they are undefined away from a boundary).
3.5.2.4. User Variables

To create a new user variable, click Insert > Variable, or right-click a variable in the tree view and select
New from the shortcut menu.
There are three basic types of user variables, depending on the value of the Method setting:
• Expression
The Expression user variable is defined by one or three expressions, depending on whether the
Scalar or Vector option is selected. You can enter new expressions or select existing expressions.
For details, see Expressions Workspace (p. 54).
If Calculate Global Range is selected then, after you click Apply, the range data is computed and
displayed in the details view. If Calculate Global Range is not selected when you click Apply then
Variables Workspace
you still have the option of selecting this option and clicking Apply again in order to compute and
display the range data.
For an Expression user variable, and any user variable that depends on it, the Boundary Data setting
(which can normally be set to Hybrid or Conservative) is not applicable. Whenever the defining ex-
pression is evaluated, the values of any underlying independent variables are hybrid and/or conser-
vative in accordance with the Boundary Data settings (at the time of evaluation) of those independent
variables. The defining expression of an Expression user variable is automatically re-evaluated
whenever you change the Boundary Data setting of any underlying independent variable.
• Frozen Copy
At the time you click Apply, the Frozen Copy user variable is defined by copying the current values
of an existing scalar variable (which is specified by the Copy From setting). Hybrid and conservative
values are copied as available. If both hybrid and conservative values are available, then after you
click Apply to create the Frozen Copy user variable, the Boundary Data setting becomes available,
enabling you to select between hybrid or conservative values; your selection affects all objects and
expressions that depend on the Frozen Copy user variable. Toggling between hybrid and conser-
vative selects data within the copy. It does not cause data to be copied again from the Copy From
variable.
The Frozen Copy user variable values remain constant even if the variable from which the copy
was made subsequently changes in any way, for example, by switching to a different time step.
After you create a Frozen Copy user variable, changing the Copy From variable and clicking Apply
causes the Frozen Copy user variable to be redefined at that time.
• Gradient
The Gradient user variable is defined as a vector variable that represents the gradient of the selected
scalar variable, or the gradient of the magnitude of the selected vector variable.
If both hybrid and conservative values are available for the selected variable, then after you click
Apply to create the Gradient user variable, the Boundary Data setting becomes available, enabling
you to select between hybrid or conservative values; your selection affects all objects and expressions
that depend on the Gradient user variable.
Note
• You cannot create a variable with the same name as an existing expression or object.
• To preserve Frozen Copy user variables between sessions, you can use the New Session
Command (p. 145) to record your current session in a session file. Note that state files will not
preserve your Frozen Copy user variables.
3.5.3. Variables: Example

In this example, you will use an expression to create an Isosurface that is a fixed radial distance from
an axis or point. For details, see Expressions Workspace: Example (p. 57). Before trying this example,
you must first create the expression in the aforementioned example.
1. Copy the StaticMixer_001.res file (provided with a tutorial) to your working directory and load it
into CFD-Post.
2. Click the Variables tab.
3. Click in the Variables details view to create a new variable.
4. When the New Object window appears, type the name Radial Distance, and then click OK.
5. In the variable details view, set Expression to radial (which is the expression you created earlier).
6. Click Apply to create the new variable.
This variable appears in the tree view and can be used like any other variable. Notice that the variable
is listed as User Defined.
You can now create an Isosurface using this variable as follows:
1. Select Insert > Location > Isosurface.
2. In the New Isosurface dialog box, enter a name and then click OK.
3. On the Geometry tab for the Isosurface:
a. Set Variable to Radial Distance.
b. Set Value to 1 [m].
This is a suitable value for results from the StaticMixer_001.res file. You may need to
alter this value to something sensible depending on the results you are viewing.
4. Click the Color tab and set the Mode option to Variable. Select a sensible variable (such as, Temper
ature or Velocity) with which to color the isosurface.
5. Set the Range option to Local so that the full color range is used on the Isosurface.
6. Click Apply to create the isosurface.
You should now see a cylindrical Isosurface centered about the Z-axis. All points on the Isosurface are
a distance of 1 m (or the value you used in the Value box) from the Z-axis. Note that a cylinder can
also be created as a surface of revolution. For details, see Surface of Revolution Command (p. 174). Ad-
ditional information on expressions is available; for details, see Further Expressions (p. 58).
3.6. Expressions Workspace

The Expressions workspace is used to select and generate expressions using the CFX Expression Lan-
guage (CEL), which you can then use in CFD-Post in place of almost any numeric value (as long as the
correct units are returned by the expression).
Note
• When a setting is defined by an expression, and the latter evaluates to a quantity that has no
units, the software internally applies the default units for that setting.
Expressions Workspace
• In an expression, a term that has no units can be added to a term that has angular units, in which
case the software internally applies radians to the term that has no units.
• Expressions Tree View (p. 55)
• Expressions Workspace: Expressions Details View (p. 56)
• Expressions Workspace: Example (p. 57)
You should be aware of the guidelines regarding expressions:
• When using expressions in multifile and case-comparison situations, a specific expression syntax is employed.
For further information, see Examples of the Calling Syntax for an Expression in the CFX Reference Guide.
• You cannot create an expression with the same name as an object or variable.
• Within the CFX Expression Language, some variables are known by short names to save typing the full
variable name. For example, p refers to Pressure. Although it is possible to create an expression with the
same name as an abbreviated variable, it is ignored. For example, if you define an expression named p with
the definition 5 [K], an expression defined as 2*p represents 2*Pressure, not 10 [K].
• You must always provide units inside square brackets for constant values typed into an expression.
Note
CFD-Post and the CFX-Solver evaluate expressions differently:
• CFD-Post evaluates expressions on slice planes by first interpolating the variables in the expression
to the "plane points" (that is, the places where the plane is cut by mesh edges), and then evaluates
the expression.
• The CFX-Solver evaluates expressions on the vertices and then interpolates to the plane points.
The results given by these two approaches (evaluate and then interpolate vs. interpolate
and then evaluate) will differ most significantly where the variable gradients are large.
3.6.1. Expressions Tree View

The following table shows commands that are specific to the Expressions tree view and are accessed
by right-clicking an expression in the tree view. For a list of shortcuts that appear in most tree views,
see Common Tree View Shortcuts (p. 16).
Command Description
Use as Workbench Input Specifies the expressions that are to be used as parameters
Parameter in a Design Exploration session. These parameterized
expressions are saved to the CFD-Post state file. To
Use as Workbench Output parameterize an expression, right-click the expression and
Parameter select Use as Workbench Input Parameter or Use as
Workbench Output Parameter. The icon next to the
Command Description
expression changes to help identify it as a parameterized
expression.
3.6.2. Expressions Workspace: Expressions Details View

The Expressions details view contains the following tabs:
• Expression Definition Tab (p. 56)
• Plot Expression Tab (p. 56)
• Evaluate Expression Tab (p. 57)
3.6.2.1. Expression Definition Tab

You can access lists of variables, expressions, locators, functions and constants by right-clicking in the
definition window when defining an expression. Although valid values can be chosen from each of the
various lists, the validity of the expression itself is not checked until you click Apply. For details, see
CEL Operators, Constants, and Expressions and CFX Expression Language (CEL) in CFD-Post (p. 329).
Any expressions not containing variables are evaluated when you click Apply.
1. Enter the definition of a new expression or edit the definition of an existing expression in the Definition
text field.
For details, see CFX Expression Language (CEL).
2. The value of the expression is shown in the Value field.
3. Click Reset to restore the expression to the definition stored in the database.
Use this to undo changes that have not yet been applied.
4. Click Apply to commit any changes or entries made in the Definition box.
After you have defined an expression, you can right-click it to make it a parameter for use in a Design
Exploration:
• You may choose Use as Workbench output parameter.
• If the expression will not influence CFX-Pre, you may choose Use as Workbench input parameter. Note
that this is not a common situation.
• If the expression will influence CFX-Pre, you must use the Expression shortcut menu in CFX-Pre to make
the expression an ANSYS Workbench input parameter.
3.6.2.2. Plot Expression Tab

The Plot tab enables you to plot an expression for a range of one of its variables with the other variables
(if there are any others) held constant.
1. If you have multiple cases loaded and an expression that applies to only one case highlighted, specify
the Case.
Expressions Workspace
2. Choose the number of sample data points (# of Points) of the expression that you would like plotted.
3. Select the independent variable (X) of the expression for use in the plot.
4. Specify a Range for this variable in the plot.
All other values are constant (their check boxes cannot also be checked). Enter fixed values for
them.
5. Click Plot Expression to view the plot.
After viewing the chart, you may click Define Plot to return the Plot tab to its previous state (which
shows the plot settings).
3.6.2.3. Evaluate Expression Tab

The Evaluate tab is provided to help you verify that the expression highlighted in the Expression tree
view is set up correctly. To evaluate an expression:
1. If you have multiple cases loaded and a locator-based function (such as "areaAve(Pressure)@outlet")
highlighted, specify the Case in which you want the expression evaluated.
2. If the expression requires that you provide values, type them in.
3. Click Evaluate Expression.
The value of the expression is displayed in the Value field.
3.6.3. Expressions Workspace: Example

In this example, you will create an expression that you can use to define a new User Variable. For details,
see Variables: Example (p. 53).
1. Select Insert > Expression to create a new expression.
The Insert Expression dialog box appears.
2. In the Insert Expression dialog box, type a name for the expression and click OK.
3. In the Definition area of the Expression details view, enter the expression: sqrt(X^2+Y^2)
This expression gives the distance of a point from the Z-axis.
4. Click Apply to create the expression.
Note that the Value field shows that the variable has units of meters. The value is variable so a
single number cannot be shown, as indicated by the placeholder: <variable>.
5. Click the Plot tab.
Here, you can define a simple 2D plot. Because the function has two independent variables1, you
must select a constant value for one of the variables.
1
CFD-Post automatically finds the variables associated with an expression, even if the expression depends on another expression.
6. Check the check box beside X.
This selects X as the variable that varies. All other variables requires a fixed value (for plotting).
7. Leave Start of Range and End of Range at their default values.
8. For Y, set Fixed Value to 3 [m].
9. Click Plot Expression.
A plot shows the variation in the expression with values of X ranging from 0 to 1 [m] and the
value of Y held constant at 3 [m].
10. Click the Evaluate tab.
11. Set X to 0.55 [m] and Y to 3 [m].
12. Click Evaluate Expression.
The value 3.05 [m] appears in the Value field. This is consistent with the plot and can easily be
verified.
3.6.3.1. Further Expressions

After completing the variable editor example, you can try modifying this expression. You may want to
try sqrt(X^2+Z^2) to define a distance from the Y-axis or sqrt(X^2+Y^2+Z^2) to define a sphere.
Try moving the location of the sphere by adding values to the X, Y, or Z components; for example,
sqrt(X^2+Y^2+(Z-0.5[m])^2) moves the sphere a distance of 0.5 m in the positive Z direction.
3.7. Calculators Workspace

The Calculators workspace offers access to the function, macro, and mesh calculators. To access the
Calculators workspace, click the Calculators tab.
For details on the functions available from the Calculators workspace, see:
• Function Calculator (p. 263)
• Macro Calculator (p. 266)
• Mesh Calculator (p. 286).
3.8. Turbo Workspace

The Turbo workspace improves and speeds up postprocessing for turbomachinery simulations. To access
the Turbo workspace, click the Turbo tab.
For details about using the Turbo workspace, see Turbo Workspace (p. 293).
Chapter 4: CFD-Post in ANSYS Workbench
CFD-Post can be run in two modes:
• As a stand-alone application started from the ANSYS CFX Launcher and independent of the ANSYS Workbench
software
• As a component launched from ANSYS Workbench.
This chapter describes using CFD-Post in ANSYS Workbench:

4.1.The ANSYS Workbench Interface
4.2. File Operation Differences
4.3. An Introduction to Workflow within ANSYS CFX in ANSYS Workbench
4.4. Using ANSYS Workbench Journaling and Scripting with CFD-Post
4.5.Tips on Using ANSYS Workbench
4.6. Limitations When Using ANSYS CFD-Post in ANSYS Workbench
Note
This chapter assumes that you are familiar with using CFD-Post in stand-alone mode. You
should consult the ANSYS Workbench help for more detailed information on ANSYS Work-
bench.
4.1. The ANSYS Workbench Interface

To launch ANSYS Workbench on Windows, click the Start menu, then select All Programs > ANSYS
18.0 > Workbench 18.0.
To launch ANSYS Workbench on Linux, open a command line interface, type the path to “runwb2” (for
example, “~/ansys_inc/v180/Framework/bin/Linux64/runwb2”), then press Enter.
The ANSYS Workbench interface is organized to make it easy to choose the tool set that will enable
you to solve particular types of problems. Once you have chosen a system from the Toolbox and moved
it into the Project Schematic, supporting features such as Properties and Messages provide orienting
information. These features and the status indicators in the system cells guide you through the completion
of the System steps.
CFD-Post in ANSYS Workbench
The following sections describe the main ANSYS Workbench features.
4.1.1. Toolbox
The Toolbox shows the systems available to you:
Analysis Systems
Systems that match the workflow required to solve particular types of problems. For example, the Fluid
Flow (CFX) system contains tools for creating the geometry, performing the meshing, setting up the
solver, using the solver to derive the solution, and viewing the results.
Component Systems
Systems based on software or software sets. For example, the CFX component system contains Setup
(CFX-Pre), Solution (CFX-Solver Manager), and Results (CFD-Post). The Results component system contains
only Results (CFD-Post).
Custom Systems
Systems that combine separate analysis systems. For example, the FSI: Fluid Flow (CFX) > Static Structural
system combines ANSYS CFX and the Mechanical application to perform a unidirectional (that is, one-way)
Fluid Structure Interaction (FSI) analysis.
The ANSYS Workbench Interface
Design Exploration
Systems that enable you to see how changes to parameters affect the performance of the system.
Note
Which systems are shown in the Toolbox depends on the licenses that exist on your system.
You can hide systems by enabling View > Toolbox Customization and clearing the check
box beside the name of the system you want to hide.
To begin using a system, drag it into the Project Schematic area.
4.1.2. Project Schematic: Introduction

The Project Schematic enables you to manage the process of solving your CFD problem. It keeps track
of your files and shows the actions available as you work on a project. At each step you can select the
operations that process or modify the case you are solving.
When you move a system from the Component Systems toolbox to the Project Schematic, you will
see a system similar to the following:
Each white cell represents a step in solving a problem. Right-click the cell to see what options are
available for you to complete a step.
Selecting Edit in the example above launches CFD-Post.
4.1.3. Workspace Tabs

Systems such as Engineering Data, DesignXplorer, and Parameters, can be placed in the Project
Schematic and can be opened in arrangements of views, called workspaces. Native workspaces are
edited directly within Workbench. Each native workspace is shown in its own tab with its Outline,
Properties, Table, and Chart views displayed when appropriate. Tabs can be opened by editing a system
cell from the Project Schematic. You can switch between workspaces by selecting their respective tabs.
For more details on workspaces and tabs, see Tabs within Workbench in the Workbench User's Guide
and Views within Tabs in the Workbench User's Guide.
4.1.4. View Bar

You control which views are displayed by opening the View menu and setting a check mark beside
the view you want to display. If you minimize that view, it appears as a tab in the View Bar and the
check box is cleared from the View menu.
4.1.5. Properties View

The Properties view is a table whose entries describe the status of a system. These entries vary between
system cells and are affected by the status of the cell. Some entries in the Properties area are writable;
others are for information only.
To display the Properties for a particular cell, right-click the cell and select Properties. Once the
Properties view is open, simply selecting a cell in the Project Schematic will display its properties.
General Multi-configuration This is a display-only value.

Post Processor
Load Options The way that multi-configuration files and
transient files open in CFD-Post must be
set beforehand in CFD-Post or in the
Properties settings for each Solution cell;
you cannot configure these settings from
the Properties view of a Results cell.
Update Clear State When you select this check box, CFD-Post
Options clears the existing state when the Results
cell is updated or modified.
When you update the Results cell, when

CFD-Post is already open, the existing
state is cleared before CFD-Post reloads
the upstream data and performs any
postprocessing.
Load Report Loads either a predefined report template
or a custom template after CFD-Post
reloads the upstream data.
The None option has no effect when the

Results cell is updated or edited.
Custom Report Sets the name of the report template
Template when you select Custom under Load
Report.
The ANSYS Workbench Interface
Publish Report Select this check box to automatically

publish a HTML report. The location of
the report is displayed in the Files view.
Report Output Sets the name of the report being
Filename published when you select the Publish
Report option. The default name is set
to Report.html.
Report Location Sets the directory where the report is
published, when you select the Publish
Report option.
If you leave this field undefined, the

report is saved in the directory associated
with the Results cell.
Note
When using Custom Report

Templates with the RSM, it is
strongly recommended that
you create a directory named
CustomReportTemplates
within the user_files
project directory to store any
custom report templates.
Workbench will search for
custom report templates in
this directory and
consequently only the
filename then needs to be
specified. This is particularly
convenient when transferring
projects between different
machines or using the RSM
where the absolute path to
the report template file may
otherwise differ.
4.1.6. Files View

The Files view shows the files that are in the current project. The project files are updated constantly,
and any “save” operation from a component will save all files associated with the project.
Important
Although the Files View reveals the data files that make up a project, you should not attempt
to manipulate these files directly, as project data management will proceed unaware of your
changes and with unpredictable results.
ANSYS Workbench associates data with system cells. This data may be stored in different ways, including
as part of the ANSYS Workbench project file or as separate files. When files are generated, they appear
in the Files view. This view can be used to identify which files are associated with each cell.
The table that follows associates cell types with file types and gives typical extensions for those file
types.
System File Type File Extension Examples

Cell
Results CFD-Post State File .cst
CFD-Post Output Filesa AnsysReportLogo.pngb
Report.htmlb
a
Does not include animation files or the output of Save Picture commands.
b
Generated file (Generated files are not copied when you duplicate a system and are removed when you run the Clear Generated
Data command.)
4.1.7. Sidebar Help

In addition to having a visual layout that guides you through
completing your project, you can also access Sidebar Help by
pressing F1 while the mouse focus is anywhere on ANSYS
Workbench. Sidebar Help is a dynamically generated set of links to
information appropriate for helping you with questions you have
about any of the tools and systems you currently have open.
4.1.8. Shortcuts (Context Menu Options)

You can access commonly used commands by right-clicking in most areas of ANSYS Workbench. These
commands are described in Context Menus in the Workbench User's Guide.
4.2. File Operation Differences

CFD-Post launched from ANSYS Workbench has default locations for file operations that are appropriate
for ANSYS Workbench:
• Save operations default to the user_files directory. The user_files directory appears under the
directory that holds the Project file (projectfile_name/user_files/).
An Introduction to Workflow within ANSYS CFX in ANSYS Workbench
• Open operations default to the permanent files directory. The permanent files directory holds the Project
file.
• Export operations initially default to the user_files directory, but change to the last directory used for
an export operation during a session.
In addition, there is an icon in the directory tree that takes you to the user_files, and all recent
directory selections are available from the directory path drop-down selector.
4.3. An Introduction to Workflow within ANSYS CFX in ANSYS Workbench

This section walks through an example of using ANSYS CFX in ANSYS Workbench to perform a fluid-
flow analysis. This walkthrough assumes familiarity with the basic ANSYS Workbench and ANSYS CFX
applications and does not discuss the details of the steps within each application.
Note
Although this example uses a Fluid Flow (CFX) analysis system to show workflow, CFD-Post
is the results viewing program for a variety of Analysis and Custom systems such as the Fluid
Flow (Fluent) analysis system. CFD-Post can also be launched from a Results component
system.
1. You begin by launching ANSYS Workbench, which opens as an unsaved project and displays the available
analysis systems.
2. In your file system you create a directory in which to store your project files. You then select File > Save
As and save your new project to that directory. This automatically sets your working directory for this
project.
3. In the Analysis Systems toolbox, double-click Fluid Flow (CFX) to create a fluid-analysis system in the
Project Schematic. (Notice that if you “hover” over systems in the Toolbox, a tool tip appears.)
The fluid-analysis system in the Project Schematic shows the steps in performing a fluid analysis:
1. Create or import a geometry.
2. Create a mesh for the geometry.
3. Set up the analysis that will be sent to the solver.
4. Control and monitor the solver to achieve a solution.
5. Visualize the results in a post-processor and create a report.
4. In addition to showing those steps in appropriately named cells, each cell can launch a tool that will enable
you to perform the task it names. Right-click the Geometry cell to see your options for adding a geometry
to your project:
An Introduction to Workflow within ANSYS CFX in ANSYS Workbench
5. As you move through the cells from Geometry to Results, you can choose to launch the tool that will
enable you to complete the cell's step: create a new geometry with ANSYS DesignModeler, create a new
mesh with ANSYS Meshing, edit the case with ANSYS CFX-Pre, control the solver's solution with ANSYS
CFX-Solver Manager, and control the display of the results with CFD-Post.
Note
You could open a Fluid Flow (CFX) system and go immediately to the Setup cell to import
an existing case. When the case is loaded, the now-unnecessary Geometry and Mesh
cells disappear.
6. When the analysis is complete and the project is finished, you save the project (and therefore the associated
files). Once a project has been saved, it can be re-opened at a later date for review or modification of any
aspect of the simulation.
Important
Saving a project enables you to re-open the project on the machine that originally created
it. To make the project available on another machine, you need to use File > Archive to
create a project archive. To open the project on a different machine, run File > Restore
Archive on that machine.
4.4. Using ANSYS Workbench Journaling and Scripting with CFD-Post

Journaling is the capturing of ANSYS Workbench actions (creating a project, opening a system, and so
on) to a file. For ANSYS CFX applications, CCL and command actions are embedded within ANSYS
Workbench actions. Scripting refers to the processes of editing and running a journal file in ANSYS
Workbench. With scripting, you could, for example, implement a prescribed workflow.
This section describes how to acquire, edit, and run script files that have commands that affect CFD-
Post. For more general information on journal files as well as scripting, refer to the ANSYS Workbench
online help.
Note
• Journal actions such as a CFD-Post Export or the loading of a static .res file record the path of
the file. You may need to manually adjust this filepath before attempting to rerun the journal,
particularly if you have created the journal using an unsaved project. More generally, when you
create a project, you should save the project immediately to set file paths that ANSYS Workbench
uses (rather than require ANSYS Workbench to use file paths that have temporary directories, as
happens before the project is saved).
• The handling of file paths described in File Path Handling in ANSYS Workbench in the ANSYS AIM
and Workbench Scripting Guide applies to file references that are made outside of CCL and com-
mand actions.
• Journal files must not contain an Undo command from CFD-Post.
4.4.1. Acquiring a Journal File with CFD-Post in ANSYS Workbench

The basic workflow for acquiring a journal file with CFD-Post in ANSYS Workbench is as follows:
1. Start ANSYS Workbench.
2. Start journaling: Select File > Scripting > Record Session and set a name for the journal file.
3. From Toolbox panel, open a system that has a Results cell with an available solution.
4. Edit the Results cell. The actions you perform are captured by the journaling process and written to a
.wbjn file.
5. Stop journaling: File > Scripting > Stop Recording Session.
6. Optionally, edit the journal file (this is the process of scripting).
7. Run File > Scripting > Run Script File and select a .wbjn file.
4.4.1.1. Journal of an Operation That Creates a Plane in CFD-Post

In the following incomplete snippet, a user has created a Results system, edited the Results cell, loaded
a CFX-Solver Results file (StaticMixer_001.res) and then created a plane named "Plane 1":
Using ANSYS Workbench Journaling and Scripting with CFD-Post
Create the Results system

template1 = GetTemplate(TemplateName="Results")
system1 = template1.CreateSystem(Position="Default")
Edit the Results cell and load the Results file (StaticMixer_001.res)
results1 = system1.GetContainer(ComponentName="Results")
results1.Edit()
results1.SendCommand(Command=r"""DATA READER:
Clear All Objects = false
Append Results = true
Edit Case Names = false
Open to Compare = false
Multi Configuration File Load Option = Separate Cases
Open in New View = true
Keep Camera Position = true
Load Particle Tracks = true
Files to Compare =
END
DATA READER:
Domains to Load=
END
> load filename=C:\StaticMixer_001.res, multifile=append""")
Set the camera and define a plane colored with a constant color
CFX.SendCommand(
Container="Results",
Command="""VIEW:View 1
Camera Mode = User Specified
CAMERA:
Option = Pivot Point and Quaternion
Pivot Point = 0, 0, 0
Scale = 0.226146
Pan = 0, 0
Rotation Quaternion = 0.279848, -0.364705, -0.115917, 0.880476
Send To Viewer = False
END
END
> autolegend plot=/PLANE:Plane 1, view=VIEW:View 1""")

CFX.SendCommand(
Command="""PLANE:Plane 1
Apply Instancing Transform = On
Apply Texture = Off
Blend Texture = On
Bound Radius = 0.5 [m]
Colour = 0.75, 0.75, 0.75
Colour Map = Default Colour Map
Colour Mode = Constant
Colour Scale = Linear
Colour Variable = Pressure
# ...
# (Lines omitted for brevity)
# ...
END""")
results1.SendCommand(Command="""# Sending visibility action from View...

>show /PLANE:Plane 1, view=/VIEW:View 1""")
Save the project

Save(
FilePath=r"C:\SaveJou.wbpj",
Overwrite=True)
The commands in the script above are the default values for a plane.
4.4.2. Scripting
Scripting refers to the processes of editing and running a journal file in ANSYS Workbench. You can
create your own scripts and include the power of Python to implement high-level programming con-
structs for input, output, variables, and logic. The example that follows illustrates this for CFD-Post.
4.4.2.1. Example: Using a Script to Change an Existing Locator

If you have an ANSYS Workbench project currently open, you can run a script to change how the results
of the simulation are post-processed. For example, if you have opened CFD-Post from an ANSYS Work-
bench system and CFD-Post is displaying a plane named "Plane 1", you can run the following script to
change the plane to be colored by the variable Velocity or Pressure.
Before running this script, you would have to first open the Command Window dialog box (by selecting
File > Scripting > Open Command Window from the ANSYS Workbench main menu). To run the
script, you would select File > Scripting > Run Script File from the ANSYS Workbench main menu and
then use the browser to open the file containing the script.
x = int(raw_input("Enter an integer: 1=Velocity, 2=Pressure: "))
if x == 1:
print 'Velocity'
CFX.SendCommand(
Colour Mode = Variable
Colour Variable = Velocity
END""")
elif x == 2:
print 'Pressure'
CFX.SendCommand(
Colour Mode = Variable
Colour Variable = Pressure
END""")
Depending on the value of x you input in the Command Window, the script includes the CCL in the
appropriate CFX.SendCommand argument to set the values for Colour Mode and Colour Vari
able in the PLANE:Plane 1 object for either the Velocity or Pressure variable.
4.5. Tips on Using ANSYS Workbench

This section highlights helpful tips on using ANSYS Workbench.
4.5.1. General Tips
4.5.2.Tips for Results Systems
4.5.1. General Tips

The following are useful tips for the general use of ANSYS CFX in ANSYS Workbench:
4.5.1.1. ANSYS Workbench Interface

A lot of important functionality is available in the shortcut menu (cells, parameter bar, and so on). Also,
you should enable the View > Properties view and investigate options for each cell.
Tips on Using ANSYS Workbench
Compact Mode is very useful. It turns the schematic into a small non-intrusive button that is always on
top, effectively replacing the need for the toolbar navigation.
4.5.1.2. Setting Units

ANSYS Workbench units and options are not passed to CFD-Post; this could require you to set units
twice.
4.5.1.3. Files View

Use the Files view to determine which files were created for each cell/system. This can be very useful
if you need to do some runs or change some settings outside of ANSYS Workbench, or if you want to
manually delete some but not all files associated with a particular cell. It is easiest to find files associated
with a specific cell by sorting the view by Cell ID. This will sort the list by system and then by cell.
4.5.1.4. ANSYS Workbench Connections

When selecting a system in the toolbox, ANSYS Workbench will highlight the cells in any systems already
in the Project Schematic to which a valid connection can be made.
4.5.2. Tips for Results Systems

The following are useful tips for the use of Results systems in ANSYS Workbench:
4.5.2.1. Changes in Behavior

The ability to play session files is missing in ANSYS Workbench for CFD-Post.
The undo stack is cleared in CFD-Post after the application receives commands from ANSYS Workbench.
You cannot launch ANSYS CFX products from one another in ANSYS Workbench; you must use the
system cells.
ANSYS Workbench "remembers" previous locations of imported files / projects. CFD-Post, however,
displays different behavior for loading or saving any files, always using the directory specified in the
Tools > Options > Default Folder for Permanent Files in ANSYS Workbench.
4.5.2.2. Duplicating Systems

Duplication normally involves only user files (files for which you have specified settings). For CFD-Post,
this would include the .cst file. Other files, which are considered to be "generated" (for instance, the
.html files), are not duplicated.
4.5.2.3. Renaming Systems

Rename all your CFX and Fluid Flow (CFX) systems to something unique and meaningful that reflects
the contents of the system, especially if there are multiple systems. The names of the files associated
with the system cells will incorporate this system name when the files are first created, making it easier
for you to identify the files in the Files view. In particular, CFD-Post will take the system name (by default
"Fluid Flow" for a Fluid Flow system) as the case name of the results in CFD-Post. Note that it is best to
rename the systems as soon as they are placed on the Project Schematic, as the generated file names
and/or the CFD-Post case names will not necessarily be updated if a system is renamed after the appro-
priate cells already have associated data (for example, a .cfx file with the Setup cell). It may be useful
to reset the Results cell to update the CFD-Post case name if the system is renamed, but you will lose
any existing CFD-Post settings and objects by doing this.
4.5.2.4. Results Cell

CFX-Solver Results files (in particular the .res files) are associated with the Solution cell, not the Results
cell. This means that a CFX-Solver Results file cannot be imported onto a Results cell; it can be imported
onto a Solution cell of a Fluid Flow or CFX system. Similarly, resetting the Results cell will not remove
the CFX-Solver Results file.
In ANSYS Workbench, the state of CFD-Post is associated with the Results cell. To maintain multiple
states, you must generate multiple Results systems. For your convenience, you can provide a unique
name for each system.
To perform a file comparison in CFD-Post, drag a Solution cell from another system to the Results cell.
You can have CFD-Post generate report output at every update (by setting Generate Reports in Results
cell Properties view). The .html file is visible in the Files view: right-click it, select Open containing
folder, and double-click the file in the explorer to see the report in a browser.
When updating existing Results cell data (with CFD-Post open) where a turbo chart with an averaged
variable was used (for example, turbo reports), a warning dialog box may appear reporting that "No
data exists for variable …" This warning can be ignored.
You can change the CFD-Post multi-configuration load options (available on the Load Results File
dialog box of CFD-Post when in stand-alone mode) by editing the properties of the Solution cell. This
is a property of the Solution cell, rather than the Results cell.
4.5.2.5. Recovering After Deleting Files

If you accidentally delete the current .def, .res or .out files for a CFX system and the Solution cell
status is up-to-date, you may get errors when trying to display the solution monitor or edit the Results
cell. In this case you will need to replace the files in the File Manager, or Reset the Solution cell, and
update the system. If the .def file is missing, you may also need to Clear Generated Data for the
Setup cell before updating the system.
4.5.2.6. License Sharing

If you are using license sharing in ANSYS Workbench, you can use only one license for CFX-Pre/CFD-
Post even if you have more available. This has implications if, for example, you want to run a long an-
imation in CFD-Post and use CFX-Pre at the same time. If you know you are going to be working with
CFX-Pre and CFD-Post at the same time, you need to change the license-sharing setting before starting
your project.
4.6. Limitations When Using ANSYS CFD-Post in ANSYS Workbench

• In a design points study, when you have some up-to-date design points, it is recommended that you avoid
editing the Results cell and running CFD-Post interactively. Most editing and viewing actions result in an
underlying state change and therefore make the design points appear out-of-date, requiring another update.
• When using Remote Solve Manager:
Limitations When Using ANSYS CFD-Post in ANSYS Workbench
If you are using custom report templates in CFD-Post, you should avoid using UNC paths (paths that
begin with two backslashes rather than a drive letter) when using Remote Solve Manager. You can
use one of the following methods to avoid using UNC paths:
– Instead of using a shared cluster directory on the machine that has the head node of the compute cluster,
set up a scratch directory on each machine that has an execution node. Each machine will then refer to
its own local directory, which does not require access via a network path.
– Use a shared directory on the machine that has the head node of the compute cluster. On each machine
that has an execution node, map the network path to that shared directory (or any parent directory of it)
as a drive letter. Use that drive letter when specifying the path to the shared directory.
Chapter 5: CFD-Post 3D Viewer
In CFD-Post, the 3D Viewer is accessible by clicking the 3D Viewer tab at the bottom of the panel on
the right side of the interface.
After loading a results file into CFD-Post, you can see a visual representation of the geometry in the 3D
Viewer. You can create various other objects that can be viewed in the 3D Viewer. For details, see CFD-
Post Insert Menu (p. 147).
Descriptions of the various viewing modes and 3D Viewer commands, including toolbars, shortcut
menus, and hotkeys, are given in 3D Viewer Modes and Commands (p. 76).
You can switch between four adjustable “views” that each remember the camera angle and state of
visibility of all objects. CFD-Post has “figures”, which are similar to views except that they can be included
in reports. For details, see Views and Figures (p. 83).
5.1. Object Visibility

The visibility of each object can be turned on and off using the check boxes in the tree view, as described
in Object Visibility (p. 15). However, you can also hide objects by right-clicking on them and selecting
Hide. The right-click menu has a title that indicates the object that will be acted upon (Wireframe in
the figure that follows) so that you do not accidentally hide the wrong object.
CFD-Post 3D Viewer
Once an object has been hidden, you can show it again by right-clicking on the background of the
Viewer and selecting Show Object:
5.2. 3D Viewer Modes and Commands

This section describes:
• 3D Viewer Toolbar (p. 76)
• CFD-Post 3D Viewer Shortcut Menus (p. 78)
• Viewer Hotkeys (p. 80)
• Mouse Button Mapping (p. 81)
• Picking Mode (p. 82)
5.2.1. 3D Viewer Toolbar

The 3D Viewer toolbar has the following tools:
Tool Description
Activates one of the three picking tools (shown below).
Selects objects. You can use this tool to drag line, point, plane, and isosurface objects to new
locations.
3D Viewer Modes and Commands
Tool Description
Selects objects using a box. Drag a box around the objects you want to select.
Selects objects using an enclosed polygon. Click to drop points around the objects. Double-click
to complete the selection.
Note
Polygon Select mode will not allow you to create an invalid region, such as would
occur if you attempted to move a point such that the resulting line would cross
an existing line in the polygon.
Rotates the view as you drag with the mouse. Alternatively, hold down the middle mouse button
to rotate the view.
Pans the view as you drag with the mouse. Alternatively, you can pan the view by holding down
Ctrl and the middle mouse button.
Adjusts the zoom level as you drag with the mouse vertically. Alternatively, you can zoom the
view by holding down Shift and the middle mouse button.
Zooms to the area enclosed in a box that you create by dragging with the mouse. Alternatively,
you can drag and zoom the view by holding down the right mouse button.
Centers all visible objects in the viewer.
When enabled, clicking on an object in the tree view causes that object to be highlighted in the
3D Viewer. The style of highlighting is controlled by Edit > Options > CFD-Post > Viewer >
Object Highlighting > Type.
Selects the viewport arrangement. You can perform Independent zoom, rotation and translate
options in each viewport.
Toggles between locking and unlocking the views of all viewports. When the views are locked,
the camera orientation and zoom level of the non-selected viewports are continuously
synchronized with the selected viewport. Locking the view for the viewports in this way can be
a useful technique for comparing different sets of visible objects between the viewports. This
tool is available only when all viewports are using the Cartesian (X-Y-Z) transformation.
Toggles between synchronizing the visibility of objects in all viewports. When active, any
subsequent action to hide or display an object affects all viewports; activating this feature does
not affect any existing show/hide states.
Note
This toggle will not synchronize the visibility of objects in different cases that
have the same name. However, in file comparison mode CFD-Post does
synchronize the visibility of objects that have the same name.
CFD-Post 3D Viewer
Tool Description
Displays the Viewer Key Mapping dialog box. See Viewer Hotkeys (p. 80) for details.
5.2.2. CFD-Post 3D Viewer Shortcut Menus

You can access the shortcut menu by right-clicking anywhere on the viewer. The shortcut menu is dif-
ferent depending on where you right-click.
5.2.2.1. Shortcuts for CFD-Post (Viewer Background)

The following commands are available in CFD-Post when you right-click the viewer background:
Command Description
Deformation Specifies the deformation scale to be viewed. This option is only available when
the Total Mesh Displacement variable exists. When an option is selected,
it will be applied to all objects in every view and figure. Select from the following:
• Undeformed
Shows all objects as if they were not deformed
• True Scale
Displays all objects with their regular deformation values
• 0.5x Auto
Shows all objects with half of the optimal (Auto) scale
• Auto
Adjusts the deformation scaling for optimal viewing. Internally, the

deformation is scaled so that the maximum deformation results in a viewable
displacement of a percentage of the domain extents, regardless of the
problem size.
• 2x Auto
Adjusts the deformation to be double that of regular deformation
• 5x Auto
Shows all objects with 5 times their regular deformation value.
• Custom...
Opens the Deformation Scale dialog box and displays the currently applied
scale value for the deformation. Specify a new value to change the scale.
• Animate...
Opens the Animation dialog box in Quick Animation mode. For details,
see Animating Mesh Deformation Scaling (p. 255).
Command Description
Copy to New Figure Creates a new figure based on the current camera position, zoom level, and object
visibility settings. For details, see Views and Figures (p. 83). The figure appears
under the Report object, and can be used in a report. For details, see
Report (p. 33). The Make copies of objects check box controls how the new figure
is made:
• When the check box is selected, visible objects are copied for the new figure. Use
this option if you want the figure to retain its appearance when the original objects
are modified.
• When the check box is cleared, only the camera position, zoom level, and the
object visibility settings are stored in the definition of the figure. Use this option
if you want the figure to automatically update with changes to the original objects.
Show Object Shows hidden objects, boundaries, and regions. See Object Visibility (p. 75).
Copy Camera From If you have set a Predefined Camera angle in another view, selecting Copy Camera
From > view name will apply that angle to the current view.
Predefined Camera Displays different views by changing the camera angle to a preset direction.
Fit View
Centers all visible objects in the viewer. This is equivalent to clicking the icon.
Auto-Fit View Automatically fits the view while you rotate the camera or resize the 3D Viewer.
This disables the manual resizing actions otherwise available from the toolbar or
mouse.
Projection Switches between perspective and orthographic camera angles.
Clip Scene Controls scene clipping via clip planes. For details, see Clip Plane Command (p. 218).
Default Legend Shows or hides the default legend object.
Axis Shows or hides the axis orientation indicator (known as the triad) in the
bottom-right corner of the viewer.
Ruler Shows or hides the ruler on the bottom of the viewer.
Save Picture Same as selecting File > Save Picture. For details, see Save Picture
Command (p. 112).
Viewer Options Opens the Options dialog box with the viewer options displayed. For details, see
Viewer (p. 140).
5.2.2.2. Shortcuts for CFD-Post (Viewer Object)

The following commands are available in CFD-Post when you right-click an object in the viewer:
Command Description
Edit Opens the object for editing.
Hide Hides the selected object in the 3D Viewer.
Animate Brings up the Animation dialog box and animates the selected object
automatically. For details, see Quick Animation (p. 254).
Color Enables you to change the selected object’s color.
CFD-Post 3D Viewer
Command Description
Render Enables you to change some of the selected object’s render options (such
as lighting and face visibility). To change other render options, select Edit
and make your changes on the object's Render tab.
Insert Opens another menu with options to insert planes, contours, streamlines,
etc. For details, see CFD-Post Insert Menu (p. 147).
Set Plane Center For planes defined using the Point and Normal method, this action
moves the point that defines the plane. This changes the focus for plane
bounding operations. See Plane Bounds (p. 158).
Reflect/Mirror Applies a reflection to the selected domain. To use this command, right-click
the corresponding wireframe in the viewer.
Probe Variable Opens a toolbar at the bottom of the viewer allowing the specification of
coordinate points and variable type. After each field is changed, the solution
automatically generates to the right of the variable type setting. For details,
see Probe (p. 262).
5.2.3. Viewer Hotkeys

A number of shortcut keys are available to carry out common viewer tasks. These can be carried out
by clicking in the viewer window and pressing the associated key.
Key Action
space Toggles between picking and viewing mode.
arrow keys Rotates about horizontal and vertical axes.
Ctrl + up/down Rotates about an axis normal to the screen.
arrow keys
Shift + arrow keys Moves the light source.
1 Switches to one viewport.
2 Switches to two viewports.
3 Switches to three viewports.
4 Switches to four viewports.
C Centers the graphic object in the viewer window.
N Toggles the projection between orthographic
and perspective.
R Resets the view to the initial orientation.
S Toggles the level of detail between auto, off, and
on.
U Undoes transformation.
Shift+U Redoes transformation.
X Sets view from +X axis.
Shift+X Sets view from -X axis.
Y Sets view from +Y axis.
Shift+Y Sets view from -Y axis.
Z Sets view from +Z axis.
Key Action
Shift+Z Sets view from -Z axis.
The information in this table is accessible by clicking the Show Help Dialog toolbar icon in the 3D
Viewer toolbar.
5.2.4. Mouse Button Mapping

The mouse mapping options enable you to assign viewer actions to mouse clicks and keyboard/mouse
combined clicks. To adjust or view the mouse mapping options, select Edit > Options, then Common
> Viewer Setup > Mouse Mapping.
Figure 5.1: Mouse Mapping using Workbench Defaults
Table 5.1: Mouse Operations and Shortcuts
Operation Description Workbench Mode CFX Mode Shortcuts

Shortcuts
Zoom To zoom out, drag the pointer up; to Shift + middle mouse Middle mouse
zoom in, drag the pointer down. button button
Object
Zoom Shift + middle
mouse button
Camera zooms in a step.
Zoom
Shift + right
mouse button
CFD-Post 3D Viewer
Operation Description Workbench Mode CFX Mode Shortcuts

Shortcuts
zooms out a
step.
Translate Drag the object across the viewer. Ctrl + middle mouse Right mouse button
button
Zoom Box Draw a rectangle around the area of Right mouse Shift + left mouse
interest, starting from one corner and button button
ending at the opposite corner. The
selected area fills the viewer when the Shift + left
mouse button is released. mouse button
Shift + right
mouse button
Rotate Rotate the view about the pivot point Middle mouse button
(if no pivot point is visible, the rotation
point will be the center of the object).
Set Pivot Set the point about which the Rotate Left mouse button Ctrl + middle mouse
Point actions pivot. The point selected must when in rotate, pan, button
be on an object in the 3D Viewer. zoom, or zoom box
When you set the pivot point, it mode (as set by the
appears as a small red sphere that icons in the viewer's
moves (along with the point on the toolbar).
image where you clicked) to the center
of the 3D Viewer. To hide the red dot
that represents the pivot point, click a
blank area in the 3D Viewer.
Move Light Move the lighting angle for the 3D Ctrl + right mouse Ctrl + right mouse
Viewer. Drag the mouse left or right button button
to move the horizontal lighting source
and up or down to move the vertical
lighting source. The light angle hold
two angular values between 0 - 180.
Picking Mode Select an object in the viewer. Ctrl + Shift + left Ctrl + Shift + left
mouse button mouse button
5.2.5. Picking Mode

Picking mode is used to select and drag objects in the viewer. The mesh faces must be visible on an
object or region to allow it to be picked. Enter picking mode by selecting the Single Select tool in
a pull-down menu of the viewer toolbar. If the Single Select icon is already visible, you can simply
click the New Selection icon.
You can also pick objects while still in viewing mode by holding down the Ctrl and Shift keys as you
click in the viewer.
Views and Figures
5.2.5.1. Selecting Objects

Use the mouse to select objects (for example, points and boundaries) from the viewer. When a number
of objects overlap, the one closest to the camera is picked.
You can change the picking mode by selecting one of the toolbar icons:
• Single Select
• Box Select
• Polygon Select
For details, see 3D Viewer Modes and Commands (p. 76).
5.2.5.2. Moving Objects

Point, plane and line objects can be moved in the viewer by dragging and dropping the object to a
new location. When an object is moved, its definition is updated in the details view. Any other plots
that are located on these movable objects are automatically updated.
5.3. Views and Figures

The 3D Viewer opens with a single viewport; you can increase the number of viewports to four by using
the viewport icon:
Figure 5.2: Viewport Control
The contents of a viewport are a view, which is a CCL object that contains the camera angle, zoom level,
lighting, and visibility setting of each object in the tree view.
Each viewport contains a different, independent view. By default, four views exist: View 1, View 2, View
3, View 4.
When you select an object in the tree view, its information is applied to the active viewport. When you
manipulate an object in the viewport, the view's CCL is updated immediately. However if the focus is
on that viewport, you can press u to revert your change.
In CFD-Post, you can create figures, which are the same as views, except that they are usable in reports.
For details, see Report (p. 33).
CFD-Post 3D Viewer
5.3.1. Creating a Figure

In CFD-Post, figures can be created by selecting Insert > Figure, or by selecting Copy to New Figure
from the viewer shortcut menu (after right-clicking a blank area in the 3D Viewer). The names of views
that you create are of the form “Figure m” by default, where m is an integer that results in a unique
name.
A new figure gets its definition from the currently existing view or figure. The latter remains active so
that subsequent view manipulations do not affect the new figure.
5.3.1.1. Copying Objects for Figures

A change made to an object will affect all figures that show that object. This can result in an unwanted
change to a figure after it has been created. In order to avoid this problem, you may select the Make
copies of objects option that is available when creating a new figure. This causes all visible objects to
be copied, and the new figure to use the copied objects rather than the original ones.
Any copied objects for a figure will appear in the tree view under User Locations and Plots >
Local Objects for FigureName, where FigureName is the name of the figure.
5.3.2. Switching to a View or Figure

To switch to a view or figure, do one of the following:
• Use the drop-down menu in the upper-left corner of the viewport.
• For figures only: Double-click the figure in the tree view (under the Report object).
• For figures only: Right-click the figure in the tree view (under the Report object), then select Edit from the
shortcut menu.
5.3.3. Changing the Definition of a View or Figure

To change a view or figure:
1. Switch to the view or figure that you want to change.
For details, see Switching to a View or Figure (p. 84).
2. Change the view or figure (for example, rotate the view) either directly, or, in CFD-Post only, select one
of the Copy Camera From commands from the viewer shortcut menu after right-clicking a blank area of
the viewer.
View and figure objects are saved automatically when you switch to a different view or figure.
5.3.4. Deleting a Figure

The figure objects that you have created can be deleted using the tree view or the viewer shortcut
menu. To use the viewer shortcut menu:
1. Switch to the figure that you want to delete.
2. Select the Delete Figure command from the viewer shortcut menu after right-clicking a blank area of
the viewer.
Views and Figures
5.3.5. Views
There are four default views that are handled specially. These are named: View 1, View 2, View 3, and
View 4. These views will not be included in CFD-Post reports. However, any of these views can be viewed
in any of the viewports, and you can create new views or figures that will be shown in reports.
5.3.5.1. Object Visibility

The visibility of an object is specified by the VIEW that should display the object, rather than the object
specifying whether it is visible. That is, the object is made visible in a certain view--it is no longer a
property of the object.
The VIEW object has a parameter named Object Visibility List that is set to a comma-separated
list of object paths that should be visible in the VIEW object.
Here is an example of the VIEW object CCL to define the visibility for the view:
VIEW: View 1 Object Visibility List=/PLANE:Plane 1, /VECTOR:Vector 4END
Note
The Object Visibility List parameter should contain only object paths, and not
object names.
Setting the Visibility parameter on an object has no effect.
For session files, there are command actions that enable you to change the visibility of objects:
• >show
• >hide
• >toggle
Each of these actions take an object name, path, or list of names and paths for which to show, hide, or
toggle the visibility. Also, the actions optionally take a parameter that specifies the view to show the
object. The visibility action parameters can alternatively take names or entire paths to specify the objects
and the views.
Example 1: The following action will show the object /PLANE:Plane 1 in all existing views, including
user figures.
>show Plane 1
Example 2: The following action will hide both /PLANE:Plane 1 and /PLANE:Plane 2 in view
/VIEW:View 1.
>hide Plane 1, /PLANE:Plane 2, view=View 1
Example 3: If Plane 1 is visible, and Plane 2 is not visible in /VIEW:View 2, the following action
will make /PLANE:Plane 1 not visible, and /PLANE:Plane 2 visible in view /VIEW:View 2:
>toggle Plane 1, Plane 2, view=/VIEW:View 2
CFD-Post 3D Viewer
5.3.5.2. Legends
There is a default legend for each VIEW object. The default legend is automatically created and deleted
along with the view. By default, the default legend is made visible in the view it is associated with.
5.4. Stereo Viewer

If you:
1. Have a standard stereo display
2. Have a graphics card that supports quad buffering OpenGL output
3. Have set your graphics card to "Stereo"
4. Have set your view to Perspective mode (right-click in the Viewer and select Projection > Perspective)
...you can view output in stereo. To enable this functionality:
1. Select Edit > Options.
2. In the Options dialog box, select CFD-Post > Viewer.
3. On the Viewer panel:
a. Set the Stereo Mode to Stereo.
b. Set the Stereo Effect. The value of the "stereo effect" that is required is related to the distance
between the observer and the display. If the stereo effect is too strong, either move away from the
display, or move the slider towards Weaker.
4. Click OK to save the settings.
Chapter 6: CFD-Post Workflow
CFD-Post enables you to qualitatively visualize and quantitatively analyze the processes taking place in
a simulation; thus, the general workflow is:
1. Planning steps:
a. Decide which variables you want to study (your options are constrained by the variables that were
solved in the process of creating the solver results file).
b. Determine where in the simulation you want to view those variables.
c. Decide how you want to display those variables, either qualitative displays (such as contour plots and
charts) or quantitative analysis and displays (such as tables).
2. Production steps:
a. Load the solver results file for the simulation into CFD-Post.
b. Create any locations, variables, expressions, or functions required.
c. Optionally, publish the report, picture, or animation that shows the findings of the study to best advant-
age.
6.1. Loading and Viewing the Solver Results

When you load a solver results file into CFD-Post, the 3D Viewer displays the wireframe of the geometry,
the mesh, the boundaries, and the domains. You can immediately display on any of the walls or
boundaries the values of the variables that were imported with the geometry. You can also use the
functions and macros that are supplied.
If those elements do not provide enough resolution, you can make use of CFD-Post's features to add:
• Locations where you can display or analyze variable values (points, point clouds, lines, planes, volumes,
isosurfaces, vortex core regions, surfaces of revolution, polylines, user surfaces, and surface groups).
• Using selected locations, generate vectors, contours, streamlines and particle tracks to generate qualitative
displays of the results.
• Expressions or macros that you can use to make new variables or to perform quantitative evaluation, integ-
ration, and averaging.
6.2. Qualitative Displays of Variables

The display of graphic objects (locations and qualitative displays) occurs in the 3D Viewer and the Chart
Viewer.
CFD-Post provides a wide range of control over the 3D Viewer, such as:
CFD-Post Workflow
• How the graphical object is to be colored; either prescribed color or by variable. If colored by variable, how
the color is mapped over the range of the selected variable.
• Rendering, including transparency, shading, lighting, specularity, and texture.
• Display of lines and faces as well as geometric transformations including rotation, translation, scaling, reflec-
tion and instancing.
• Up to four viewports where the orientation of the objects in these miniature viewers can be controlled in-
dependently.
The Chart Viewer can display data as lines or as symbols.
6.3. Analysis
The quantitative analysis of variables can be displayed in the Table Viewer to enable you to display
data and expressions.
6.4. Quantitative Analysis of Results

There are a variety of ways you can perform quantitative analysis of results loaded into CFD-Post:
• Use the Expressions workspace to make new variables and to numerically process results using a variety
of mathematical operations, such as averaging and integration.
• Use the Calculators workspace to:
– Invoke analysis macros supplied for various applications including fan noise, turbomachinery performance,
and so on
– Calculate various measures of mesh quality
– Probe the value of a function at a given location.
• Use the Variables workspace to make new variables.
• Use the Turbo workspace to initialize settings for turbomachinery applications.
6.5. Sharing the Analysis

There are a variety of ways to output the results of your analysis:
• Save a picture of the contents of the 3D Viewer in a variety of formats, including PNG, PostScript, and VRML.
• Publish a report, an HTML publication that includes information about the solver results file, the mesh, and
the physics (as well as any other qualitative information, quantitative information, or comments you want
to add).
• Produce an animation showing the changes in a variable over a range in the domain.
6.6. Typical Workflow

The following is a typical workflow, which you can simplify, reorganize, or extend suit your work patterns
and objectives:
Typical Workflow
1. Start CFD-Post. (Starting CFD-Post (p. 3))
2. Load one or more results files. (Load Results Command (p. 91))
3. Create expressions (Expressions Workspace (p. 54)) and/or invoke macros (Predefined Macros (p. 268)) to
perform the desired numerical processing of results.
4. Create any new variables that will be used for qualitative display. (Variables Workspace (p. 49))
5. Examine the existing locations (wireframe and surface boundaries) and create any additional locators re-
quired. (Location Submenu (p. 148))
6. For each locator, select visibility, method of coloring, rendering, and transformation.
7. Create any additional objects (such as lines, vectors, or contours) for quantitative display. (CFD-Post Insert
Menu (p. 147))
8. For each object, select visibility, method of coloring, rendering, and transformation.
9. Use the 3D Viewer to explore the graphic objects and produce animations as required. (CFD-Post 3D
Viewer (p. 75))
10. Create tables of data as required and display in the Table Viewer. (Table Command (p. 221))
11. Create any desired charts and display in the Chart Viewer. (Chart Command (p. 226))
12. Generate or edit any required titles, legends, or labels (Legend Command (p. 210) and Text Command (p. 206))
13. If required, save a picture of the contents in the 3D Viewer. (Save Picture Command (p. 112))
14. Display the report in the Report Viewer and/or modify the report as required. (Report Command (p. 112))
15. Optionally, publish the report to an HTML file. (Report (p. 33))
16. Optionally, save animations. (Quick Animation (p. 254))
Chapter 7: CFD-Post File Menu
This chapter describes the commands that are available from the File menu:
7.1. Load Results Command
7.2. Close Command
7.3. Load State Command
7.4. Save State Command and Save State As Command
7.5. Save Project Command
7.6. Refresh Command (ANSYS Workbench only)
7.7. Import Commands
7.8. Export Commands
7.9. Mechanical Import/Export Commands
7.10. FSI with Mechanical APDL and CFX: Manual One-way Mapping
7.11. Report Command
7.12. Save Picture Command
7.13. Loading Recently Accessed Files
7.14. Quit Command
7.15. File Types Used and Produced by CFD-Post
The file types that you can load and display are described in File Types Used and Produced by CFD-
Post (p. 115).
7.1. Load Results Command

To load a results file (or files), select File > Load Results and browse to the file you want to load. CFX
results files and CFX-Solver input files can be loaded from the Load Results File dialog box. For inform-
ation on valid results and CFX-Solver input files, see File Types Used and Produced by CFD-Post (p. 115).
The Load Results File dialog box presents you with the following options:
Edit case names

Enables you to change the case name as it appears in the Outline tree. The default case name is the filename
(without the file type extension). Changing the case name does not affect the filename in the file system.
Keep current cases loaded

Controls whether to add to or replace the results that are currently in memory.
If Keep current cases loaded is selected, you can choose Open in new view to see the two cases
side-by-side. If you choose to open the new case the same view, the two cases overlap and the title
bar of the view displays All cases. However, you can use the Viewer's toolbar to manually display
two views, then manually display change All cases to Case 1 in View 1 and Case 2 in View 2. If
CFD-Post File Menu
you have loaded two cases and you select Tools > Compare cases, each case appears in a separate
view, with the differences displayed in a third view.
Note
The Keep current cases loaded option is particularly useful to perform simultaneous
postprocessing of both fluid (CFX) and solid (ANSYS) results when a two-way Fluid-
Structure simulation has been performed.
Note
Before loading any variable from a results file, CFD-Post deletes from its memory any
user-defined variable of the same name.
Clear user state before loading

Loading a results file causes all domain, boundary, and variable objects associated with the results file to
automatically be created or updated by default. This would typically include the wireframe model of the
geometry and all the boundary conditions created in CFX-Pre. The data associated with a variable is not
loaded until the variable is actually used. Any existing objects (such as planes, vector plots) are plotted
using the most recently loaded results, if possible. You can disable this behavior by selecting the Clear
user state before loading check box.
Failing to clear the user state will cause CFD-Post to apply the state of the current file to the results
file being loaded. For Turbo cases, it is important to ensure that settings such as the number of in-
stances in 360 degrees is correct (or to adjust the setting to be correct after the file is loaded) as
CFD-Post does not automatically check to see if the user settings match between files.
Maintain camera position

Controls the loading behavior when you replace one case with another. When selected, the new case loads
in the same orientation and size as the initial case; when cleared, the new case opens to fit into the view.
Load CFX Particle Track data

Controls the loading of the particle tracks that exist in the case.
Construct Variables From Fourier Coefficients

Controls the reading of Fourier coefficients from the results of transient blade row cases. When this option
is selected, CFD-Post reads Fourier coefficient data from the results, thereby making it possible to apply
data instancing (see Data Instancing Tab (p. 28)), which involves deriving solution variables on an expanded
domain; only those variables for which Fourier coefficients exist are available for postprocessing. When
this option is not selected, only solved results are available for postprocessing; such results exist only
within the simulated passage(s) (for which there was a CFD mesh and a solution provided by the solver).
If you want to postprocess both the derived and solved variables for the same results file, you can
use the Keep current cases loaded option and load the results twice: once with the Construct
Variables From Fourier Coefficients option selected, and once with that option not selected.
Run history and multi-configuration options

Controls how you load a multi-configuration (.mres) file or a results file (.res) that contains a run history
(that is, a file that was produced from a definition file that had its initial values specified from a results file
from a previous run and saved to the results file that you are loading).
Load Results Command
• Choose Load only the last results to load only the last configuration of a multi-configuration results
file, or only the last results from a results file that contains a run history.
• Choose Load complete history as: a single case to load all configurations of a multi-configuration run
as a single case, or all of the results history from a results file that contains a run history. In either case,
only one set of results will appear in the viewer, but you can use the timestep selector to move between
results. This option is not fully supported.
Note
When multi-configuration files are loaded as a single sequence, the solution expressions
(Reference Pressure, and so on) represent the last configuration, no matter which
configuration is currently viewed.
• Choose Load complete history as: separate cases to load all configurations from a multi-configuration
run into separate cases. If a results file with run history is loaded, CFD-Post loads the results from this
file and the results for any results file in its run history as separate cases. Each result appears as a separate
entry in the tree.
Note
When loading multiple configurations, the final results file determines whether all config-
urations have particle tracks (as this is how transient particle tracks are determined). If
the physics for each configuration differs significantly, do not use this method of loading
files.
Note
• You can multi-select results files by holding the Ctrl key while you click the filenames.
For transient results, it is recommended that you load only the case file (Fluent results) or
the results file (CFX results). CFD-Post automatically loads all of the other data files corres-
ponding to different time steps and creates the time series. Selecting multiple intermediate
transient files would lead to multiple sets of results being loaded; each intermediate
transient file would load as a separate set of results.
• To unload a set of results, right-click the case name in the tree view and select Unload.
• When a case is unloaded, global variable ranges are not updated.
• To replace the selected results file with another results file while keeping the state, right-click
the case name and select Replace results file. (Reloading the results file through the Load Results
panel may not recover the state completely, in particular when Turbo Post is initialized.) Note
that the Replace results file function will keep the original case name even though the results
file has changed.
CFD-Post File Menu
Domain Selector Dialog Box

If the results file being loaded contains multiple domains, the Domain Selector dialog box appears
and you are prompted to specify which domains to load. Choosing to load only the domains you require
will reduce memory usage and can speed processing time.
If you select the Don't show this panel again option, all domains will be loaded automatically on
subsequent uses of the Load Results command. Note that you can always re-enable this dialog box
from the Edit > Options > Files panel (select Show domain selector before load).
Solution Units Dialog Box

When you load CFX files into CFD-Post, the solution units that were used by the CFX-Solver are auto-
matically read from the file. When you load a file that does not store solution units (such as CFX-4 dump
files, CFX-TASC files, Fluent files, or ANSYS results files), by default the Solution Units dialog box appears
and you are prompted to specify the solution units. However, you can enable the Don’t prompt for
Solution Units before loading results toggle to suppress this prompt, in which case the default units
of kilograms, meters, seconds, Kelvin, and radians will be used.
Once you have specified the units that were used in the results file, CFD-Post can convert those units
to your preferred display units.
You set your preferred display units by selecting Edit > Options, then Common > Units from the menu
bar; for details, see Setting the Display Units (p. 142).
Note
In CFD-Post, the temperature solution units must be an absolute scale (for example, Kelvin
[K] or Rankine [R]); you cannot use Celsius and Fahrenheit. Temperature quantities elsewhere
in ANSYS CFX can be set in Celsius and Fahrenheit.
Partial Results Files

When a partial results file is loaded, CFD-Post makes available the variables that exist in the full results
file, but do not necessarily exist in the partial results file. Variables that do not exist in partial results
files are not applicable to the currently loaded time step and are undefined.
You can optionally choose to use variable values that apply to the nearest full results file by changing
an option in the Options dialog box. For details, see Turbo (p. 140).
7.2. Close Command

The Close command closes the currently loaded file, prompting you to save if necessary. CFD-Post remains
open. To exit CFD-Post, use the Quit Command (p. 115).
Save State Command and Save State As Command
7.3. Load State Command

Selecting Load State opens an existing state file.
Note
Timestep and phase information are not stored in the state file, so loading a state file does
not change the timestep or phase.
Overwrite and Append

You can choose to either replace or append to the current state in CFD-Post. You can also choose to
load the results file from which the state file was created. The results of these combinations are outlined
below.
• Replace current state selected and Load results selected: The results file used to create the state file is
opened, all existing objects are deleted, and new objects that are defined in the state file are created. The
results are plotted on the new objects.
• Replace current state selected and Load results cleared: All existing objects are deleted and new objects
that are defined in the state file are created. The results are plotted on the new objects using the existing
results.
• Add to current state selected and Load results selected: The results file used to create the state file is
opened. All objects defined in the state file and all existing objects are plotted with the new results. If objects
in the state file have the same name as existing objects, the existing objects are replaced by those in the
state file.
• Add to current state selected and Load results cleared: All objects defined in the state file are created and
plotted using the current results. Existing objects are not removed unless they have the same name as an
object in the state file, in which case they are replaced.
Results files may contain CEL expressions. If you have one or more results files already loaded and you
are about to load a state file, you can prevent overwriting these expressions by clearing the Load results
check box, then selecting the Preserve current results expressions check box.
7.4. Save State Command and Save State As Command

When CFD-Post is started from the ANSYS CFX Launcher, the Save State command produces a CCL file
with a .cst file extension. All objects that currently exist in the system are saved to the state file.
Important
A state file is linked to the results file from which it was created by an absolute path. Therefore,
do not change the location of the results file. The state file does not contain the geometry,
mesh, or any results; these are loaded from the results file into CFD-Post.
If you have not saved a state file during your current CFD-Post session, selecting Save State opens the
Save State dialog box where you can enter a filename.
If you have already saved a previous state, selecting Save State overwrites that file. To save a state to
a different filename, you should select Save State As from the File menu.
CFD-Post File Menu
When CFD-Post is started from ANSYS Workbench, the Save Project command writes the current state
of the project.
7.5. Save Project Command

When CFD-Post is started from ANSYS Workbench, the Save Project command writes the current state
of the project.
7.6. Refresh Command (ANSYS Workbench only)

Reads the upstream data, but does not perform any long-running operation.
7.7. Import Commands

The Import menu enables you to import data for:
• A polyline or surface (see Import Surface or Line Data into CFD-Post (p. 96))
• A Fluent particle track file (see Import Fluent Particle Track File (p. 97))
• A Mechanical CDB Surface (see Import Mechanical CDB Surface (p. 98))
Note
Only CFX-4 and Fluent particle track formats are supported for CFD-Post import.
7.7.1. Import Surface or Line Data into CFD-Post

Using the Import Surface or Line Data dialog box, you can read in data for a polyline or surface.
Click Browse to browse to the file to read the data from, or enter the filename.
Note
Importing of polylines from a file is not supported in Case Comparison mode.
Locator Names
If you import a generic file, the locator that is created is named using the locator name stored in the
file, with the prefix Imported. If a locator with the same name already exists, the lowest integer
greater than 1 that creates a unique name is appended. For example, if the imported file specifies a
locator called Line 1, the locator that is created is called Imported Line 1, unless such a locator
already exists, in which case the locator is called Imported Line 1 1. If the latter were the case,
then importing another file with a locator called Line 1 would cause the creation of a locator called
Imported Line 1 2.
Importing Experimental Data in a Customized File

You can import experimental data in a customized file; typically this data will be for a user surface
boundary profile or a polyline. The file structures are similar, except that the user surface description
Import Commands
requires more information to define the boundary. Refer to USER SURFACE Data Format (p. 104) or
POLYLINE Data Format (p. 103) as appropriate.
The example that follows shows experimental data that can be imported into CFD-Post.
Example 7.1: A Surface Data File for CFD-Post

[Name]
Experimental Data Set 1
[Data]
Node No., X[m], Y[m], Z[m], Press.[Pa], Vel.[m/s], Temp.[R], ...
0, -0.3, -0.3, -1.0, 0.0, 1.0, 0.224,
1, -1.0, -1.0, 1.0, 1.0, 2.0, 1.35987,
2, -1.0, 1.0, 1.0, 1.0, 3.0, -0.45,
3, -0.3, 0.3, -1.0, 0.0, 4.0, -5.82,
4, 0.3, -0.3, -1.0, 2.0, 5.0, 9.6323,
5, 1.0, -1.0, 1.0, 3.0, 6.0, 7.1859,
6, 1.0, 1.0, 1.0, 3.0, 7.0, -4.656234,
7, 0.3, 0.3, -1.0, 2.0, 8.0, 2.1237,
8, 0.0, 0.0, 2.0, 5.0, 9.0, 6.456,
[Faces]
# Faces are defined by their points, represented by the point IDs:
# 3 points for a tri-face and 4 points for a quad-face.
# The face normal is defined by the order of the points, so define
# all points in either a clockwise or counterclockwise direction
# to obtain a uniform face normal
0 - 3
# The face above is created from points 0 through 3
7 - 4
4 1 0
# Tri- and quad-faces may be combined
4 5 1
6 3 2
6 7 3
0 3 7 4
2 1 8
6 2 8
5 6 8
1 5 8
Importing .stl Files

When importing a .stl file, you select the units in which the selected file was written by choosing
the appropriate Length Units. This will overwrite any length units already specified in the file.
Only ASCII .stl files are supported.
You can also load STL files from the Insert menu in CFD-Post. For details, see Method (p. 180).
7.7.2. Import Fluent Particle Track File

The Import Fluent Particle Track File option enables you to import the particle track file associated
with the .cas/.dat/.cdat file currently loaded in CFD-Post. The Import Fluent Particle Track File
dialog box enables you to browse for the appropriate Fluent Particle Track XML file.
For details on creating a particle track file in ANSYS Fluent, see Particle Tracks Dialog Box in the Fluent
User's Guide. For limitations associated with Fluent particle tracks, see Limitations with Fluent Files (p. 125).
For details on configuring the display of a particle track file in ANSYS CFD-Post, see Particle Track
Command (p. 198).
CFD-Post File Menu
7.7.3. Import Mechanical CDB Surface

The Import Mechanical CDB Surface feature is fully supported when initiated from the Mechanical side.
The main purpose of the Mechanical import/export facility in CFD-Post is to enable fluid-structure inter-
action (FSI). The facility enables a mapping of boundary data stored in a CFX results file to a surface
stored in an ANSYS Mesh (.cdb) file.
Note
In the volumetric transfer, the temperature at the unmapped nodes will be set to the average
temperature of all mapped nodes.
For an example of using this option, see Mechanical Import/Export Commands (p. 110).
The Import Mechanical CDB Surface dialog box has the following options:
7.7.3.1. File
The File setting specifies the filename of the file to import. You can type the filepath of the file, or click
the Browse icon to search for the file to import.
7.7.3.2. Length Units

The Length Units setting specifies what units the imported file will be in.
7.7.3.3. Specify Associated Boundary Check Box

Select the Specify Associated Boundary check box to specify an existing boundary to associate with
the data in the *.cdb (ANSYS mesh) file. When importing ANSYS files, you should specify an associated
existing boundary. If an export of ANSYS data is subsequently performed using the locator from the
ANSYS file, data from the associated locator is mapped to, and exported with, the ANSYS file locator.
7.7.3.3.1. Boundary
The Boundary setting specifies the associated boundary for the imported file.
7.7.3.4. Maintain Conservative Heat Flows Check Box

Select the Maintain Conservative Heat Flows check box to ensure that the total heat flow for the
boundary is equal to that of the imported ANSYS surface.
7.7.3.5. Read Mid-Side Nodes Check Box

Select the Read Mid-Side Nodes check box to map the ANSYS classic geometry for side nodes to CFX
geometry. Using this feature can greatly extend the time it takes to load a file as reading the mid-side
nodes increases the number of nodes that need to be mapped. Mid-Side nodes are only useful when
you perform nodal exports, like Nodal Temperature Export. The mapped mid-side nodes are not used
for surface export data calculations
Export Commands
7.7.3.6. Mapping Success Label

The Mapping Success label indicates the percentage of the ANSYS surface (.cdb) nodes that have been
directly mapped to the CFX boundary surface.
The mapping success is determined in the following order:
1. An ANSYS surface node is considered equivalent to the nearest boundary surface node if the node is
within a certain tolerance of each other.
2. An ANSYS surface node is mapped to the closest face if it is closer to a node than the closest edge.
3. An ANSYS surface node is mapped to the closest edge if it is less than a certain tolerance.
Nodes are considered unmapped if none of the above conditions are met, or if the distance from the
node to the closest edge is greater than the allowable tolerance. In this case the ANSYS surface node
is mapped to the nearest boundary surface node regardless of the distance.
Note
This label only appears in the corresponding User Surface panel, after the ANSYS surface
(.cdb) nodes that have been mapped to the CFX boundary surface.
7.8. Export Commands

The Export option has the following sub-options:
7.8.1. Export
7.8.2. Export External Data File
7.8.3. Export Mechanical Load File
7.8.1. Export
The Export action enables you to export your results to a data file. You may export results for any
available variable in CFD-Post on any defined locator. In the export file, data is written in blocks on a
per locator basis in the order given by the locator list. Each block starts with lines listing the values of
the selected variables at the locator points (one line corresponds to one point).
The following two examples on how to export data are given at the end of this section:
• Exporting Polyline Data (p. 103)
• Exporting Boundary Profile / Surface Data (p. 104)
7.8.1.1. Export: Options Tab

7.8.1.1.1. File
The File setting specifies a file for the data to be exported to. You may type a filename or click Browse
to search for a file to export the results to, or enter a new filename.
CFD-Post File Menu
7.8.1.1.2. Type
The Type setting has the following options:
Option Description
Generic Exports data to a file, writing the data in blocks for every locator. Each block starts
with listing the values of the selected variables at the locator points. The Generic
option displays the Export Geometry Information check box. For details, see
Export Geometry Information Check Box (p. 101).
BC Pro Creates a boundary condition profile to be exported. The BC Profile option
file enables you to select a Profile Type.
Case Provides a short summary of the results file in xml format.
Summary
Geo Creates a .csv file containing geometric information for the chosen Locations.
metry
Only
STL Creates a .stl file containing geometric information for the chosen Locations.
Only ASCII .stl files are supported.
Note
If you are using the Geometry Only option to export a surface to set up a User Location
in CFX-Pre, ensure that the mesh is in its initial position (not translated, rotated, or deformed).
In CFX-Pre, the 2D User Location is independent from the volume mesh, so the mesh used
in CFD-Post to create the surface must match the initial mesh found in CFX-Pre.
7.8.1.1.3. Locations
Locations is available only if either the Generic or BC Profile option is selected. The Locations
setting specifies the locators for which the results of your variable is written. You can hold down the
Ctrl key to select more than one locator and the Shift key to select a block of locators.
7.8.1.1.4. Name Aliases

Name Aliases is available only if either the Generic or BC Profile option is selected. The Name
Aliases setting specifies custom naming of locators. To change the names of locators that will appear
in the output file, insert a comma-separated list of names in the same order as locators.
7.8.1.1.5. Coord Frame

Coord Frame is available only if either the Generic or BC Profile option is selected. The Coord
Frame setting specifies the coordinate frame relative to which the data will be exported. Information
on creating a custom coordinate frame is available. For details, see Coordinate Frame Command (p. 208).
7.8.1.1.6. Unit System

The Unit System setting determines the units in which the data will be exported. By default, this will
use the global units system selected in Edit > Options. For details, see Setting the Display Units (p. 142).
Export Commands
7.8.1.1.7. Boundary Vals

Boundary Vals is available only if either the Generic or the BC Profile option is selected. The
Boundary Vals setting enables you to select Hybrid or Conservative boundary values. For details,
see Hybrid and Conservative Variable Values. Setting Boundary Vals to Current will select Hybrid/Con
servative for each variable depending on the current setting. For details, see Variables Details
View (p. 50).
7.8.1.1.8. Export Geometry Information Check Box

Export Geometry Information is available only if the Generic option is selected. Select this check
box to export the x, y, z coordinate information of the locator at the beginning of the block.
7.8.1.1.8.1. Line and Face Connectivity Check Box
Line and Face Connectivity is available if the Generic or BC Profile option is selected. Select
this check box to export the connectivity information after the coordinate information in the file.
7.8.1.1.8.2. Node Numbers Check Box
Node Numbers is available only if the Generic option is selected. Select this check box to export the
node numbers after the coordinate information in the file.
7.8.1.1.9. Profile Type

Profile Type is available only if the BC Profile option is selected. The Profile Type setting has the
following options:
Option Description
Inlet Velo Exports the Velocity Vector variable.
city
Inlet Total Exports the Total Pressure, Total Temperat
Pressure ure, and Velocity Direction variables.
Inlet Direc Exports the Velocity Direction variable.
tion
Inlet Super Exports the Velocity Vector, Pressure, and
sonic Temperature variables.
Outlet Exports the Pressure variable.
Pressure
Wall Exports the Velocity Vector and Temperature
variables.
Custom Enables you to select custom variables to export from the
Select Variable(s) list box.
7.8.1.1.10. Spatial Fields List Box

Spatial Fields is available only if the BC Profile option is selected. The Spatial Fields list box specifies
the coordinate plane axes for the file being exported.
CFD-Post File Menu
7.8.1.1.11. Select Variable(s) List Box

Select Variable(s) is available only if either the Generic or BC Profile options are selected. This
list box is displayed for the BC Profile option only if the Custom option is selected for the Profile
Type setting. This list box selects the variables to export. You can hold down the Ctrl key to select
more than one variable or use the Shift key to select a block of variables.
7.8.1.2. Export: Formatting Tab

7.8.1.2.1. Vector Variables
Vector Variables is available only if either the Generic or Case Summary options are selected for
the Type setting in the Options tab.
7.8.1.2.1.1. Vector Display Options
The Vector Display options enable you to select either Components or Scalar. The Components setting
writes each component of a vector to the data file. The components appear inside the selected brackets.
The Scalar option writes only the magnitude of a vector quantity.
7.8.1.2.1.2. Brackets
Brackets is available only if the Components option is selected. The Brackets setting selects the type
of brackets to wrap around the components.
7.8.1.2.2. Include Nodes With Undefined Variable Check Box

Select the Include Nodes With Undefined Variable check box to write Null Tokens to the output file.
Select the symbol used to denote undefined variable values. For details, see Null Token (p. 102).
7.8.1.2.2.1. Null Token
Null Token is available only if the Include Nodes With Undefined Variable check box is selected. The
Null Token setting specifies the token to be displayed in the place of an undefined variable value. You
may select the item used as a null token from a predefined list. Examples of a variables with undefined
values include Velocity in a Solid Domain and a variable value at a point outside the solution domain,
which can be created using a polyline, sampling plane or surface locator.
Some variables, including Yplus and Wall Shear, are calculated only on the boundaries of the domain
and are assigned UNDEF values elsewhere.
If the Line and Face Connectivity check box is selected in the Options tab, then the Null Token is
automatically exported.
7.8.1.2.3. Precision
The Precision setting specifies the precision with which your results are exported. The data is exported
in scientific number format, and Precision sets the number of digits that appear after the decimal point.
For example, 13490 set to a precision of 2 outputs 1.35e+04. The same number set to a precision of
7 yields 1.3490000e+04.
7.8.1.2.4. Separator
The Separator setting specifies the character to separate the numbers in each row.
Export Commands
7.8.1.2.5. Include File Info Header Check Box

Select the Include File Info Header check box to export comments at the top of the export file displaying
the build date, date and time, and results file from which it is generated.
7.8.1.2.6. Include Header Check Box

Select the Include Header check box to include the list locators and a list of variables with their corres-
ponding units. The header should be included for most export applications to ensure successful import
into ANSYS CFX products.
7.8.1.3. Exporting Polyline Data

To save a polyline or line to a file:
1. Select File > Export.
The Export dialog box appears.
2. On the Options tab:
a. Set Type to Generic.
b. Select Export Geometry Information and Export Connectivity.
3. On the Formatting tab, under Vector Variables, ensure that the Vector Display option is set to Scalar.
Note that, on the Formatting tab, there is a Null Token field. This is used to indicate the string that
should be written to represent values that are undefined.
If you want to make your own polyline file with a text editor, follow the format specified below.
For details, see Polyline Command (p. 177).
7.8.1.3.1. POLYLINE Data Format

The following is an abbreviated polyline file:
[Name]
Polyline 1
[Data]
X [ m ], Y [ m ], Z [ m ], Area [ m^2 ], Density [ kg m^-3 ]
-1.04539007e-01, 1.68649014e-02, 5.99999987e-02, 0.00000000e+00, ...
-9.89871025e-02, 3.27597000e-02, 5.99999987e-02, 0.00000000e+00,
.
.
.
[Lines]
0, 1
1, 2
.
.
.
[Name]
Polyline 2
.
.
.
CFD-Post File Menu
The name of each locator is listed under the Name heading. Point coordinates and the corresponding
variable values are stored in the Data section. Line connectivity data is listed in the Lines section,
and references the points in the Data section, where the latter are implicitly numbered, starting with
0.
Comments in the file are preceded by # (or ## for the CFX-5.6 polyline format) and can appear anywhere
in the file.
Blank lines are ignored and can appear anywhere in the file (except between the [<data>] and first
data line, where <data> is one of the key words in square brackets).
7.8.1.4. Exporting Boundary Profile / Surface Data

Surfaces can be exported and then read into CFX-Pre as a boundary profile (or into CFD-Post as a User
Surface).
7.8.1.4.1. USER SURFACE Data Format

An abbreviated user surface file, that could be read back into CFD-Post, is shown below:
[Name]
Plane 1
[Data]
X [ m ], Y [ m ], Z [ m ], Area [ m^2 ], Density [ kg m^-3 ]
-1.77312009e-02, -5.38203605e-02, 6.00000024e-02, 7.12153496e-06, ...
-1.77312009e-02, -5.79627529e-02, 5.99999949e-02, 5.06326614e-06,
.
.
.
[Faces]
369, 370, 376, 367, 375
350, 374, 367, 368, 351
.
.
.
[Name]
Plane 2
.
.
.
This is similar to the polyline data format described earlier (POLYLINE Data Format (p. 103)), except for
the connectivity information. Instead of defining lines, this file defines faces (small surfaces), each by 3
(triangle) to 6 (hexagon) points. The points must be ordered to trace a path going around the face. For
proper rendering, the faces should have consistent point ordering, either clockwise or counterclockwise.
Each face is automatically closed by connecting the last point to the first point. Face connectivity data
is listed in the Faces section and references the points in the Data section, where the latter are implicitly
numbered, starting with 0.
7.8.2. Export External Data File

The Export External Data File action enables you to export your results as an ANSYS External Data
File (.axdt). This file can be imported into the External Data system, which can be read into a Mech-
anical application or System Coupling component system.
The file format for an ANSYS External Data File (.axdt) is described in ANSYS External Data File Format
in the Workbench User's Guide.
Export Commands
7.8.2.1. Options Tab

7.8.2.1.1. File
The File setting specifies a file for the data to be exported to. You may type a filename or Browse
to search for a file to export the results to. The default filename is export.axdt and the default filepath
is your current working directory.
7.8.2.1.2. Location
The Location setting specifies the locators for which the results of your variables are written.
Note
For conjugate heat transfer cases, you should make sure that the selected location corresponds
to the fluid/solid side of the interface, as intended.

The Unit System setting specifies the units for the exported data. By default, this uses the global units
system selected in Edit > Options. For details, see Setting the Display Units (p. 142).
Note
The following unit systems in CFD-Post are not supported in the External Data system:
• English Engineering
• British Technical
• US Customary
• Custom
In such cases, the External Data system cannot determine the unit system used in the file. If
any of the above systems is selected in CFD-Post, a warning is issued, and the data will be
exported in SI units.
7.8.2.1.4. Boundary Data

The Boundary Data setting specifies Hybrid or Conservative boundary values. If Boundary Data
is set to Current, this setting is picked up from each variable. For details, see Variables Details
View (p. 50).
7.8.2.1.5. Select Recommended Variables

The Select Recommended Variables list box allows you to select the variables to export. You can select
from the following options:
CFD-Post File Menu
• Heat Flow
Note
For Fluent results, Heat Flow is not always defined at the CHT interface boundaries. You
should ensure that heat fluxes are available at the boundaries you export.
• HTC and Wall Adjacent Temperature
This option allows you to export the Wall Heat Transfer Coefficient and Wall Adjacent Temperature
variables to the external data file.
This option is not available for inviscid flows and Eulerian multiphase cases. For Eulerian multiphase
cases, you can select phase-specific temperatures from the Additional Variables list. For a list of
Fluent field variables and their equivalent in CFD-Post, see Fluent Field Variables Listed by Category.
Note
For cases where you have specifically solved for conjugate heat transfer, it is recommended
that you export the solid-side Temperature, instead of HTC and Wall Adjacent Temper-
ature.
The HTC and Wall Adjacent Temperature variable is not calculated for laminar flow and
will not appear in the Export External Data File window for such cases.
• Temperature
For multiphase cases, CFD-Post will calculate and output the Bulk Temperature, which is the tem-
perature weighted by the volume fraction of the individual phases. You can select phase-specific
temperatures from the Additional Variables list.
Note
For cases where you have specifically solved for conjugate heat transfer, it is recommended
that you export the solid-side temperature instead of the fluid-side temperature.
For multiphase cases that include a combined temperature variable instead of phase-
specific temperatures, CFD-Post will not calculate the Bulk Temperature. However, the
combined temperature variable will be written to the output file under Bulk Temperature.
Note
User defined variables named Temperature or Heat Flow will be ignored and a warning
message will be issued.
Export Commands
7.8.2.1.6. Select Additional Variables

In addition to the variables listed in the Select Recommended Variables list box you can select other
field variables you have set to output in Fluent. You can hold down the Ctrl key to select more than
one variable or use the Shift key to select a block of variables.
Note
User defined variables named Temperature or Heat Flow will be ignored and a warning
message will be issued.
7.8.2.2. Formatting Tab

The Formatting tab enables you to specify only a precision value. This setting is the same for the Export
command. For details, see Export (p. 99).
7.8.3. Export Mechanical Load File

The selected CFX data that is exported by CFD-Post is interpolated onto the ANSYS surface from the
associated CFX boundary. The interpolated data is then exported to an ANSYS load file. For details on
how to associate a boundary with an ANSYS surface, see Specify Associated Boundary Check Box (p. 98).
When verifying the load applied to the surface in Mechanical, note that the Pressure variable available
in CFD-Post is not the same as the element stress representing the static structural load. The element
stress variables, Normal Stress, Shear Stress, and Stress (the latter being the combination
of Normal Stress and Shear Stress) are vector quantities, whereas the Pressure variable is
a scalar quantity.
To compare actual boundary data in CFD-Post with the data that is exported:
1. Load the fluid results file into CFD-Post.
2. Create a new vector variable named Surface Force Density.
3. Specify the components as follows: X => Force X / Area, Y => Force Y / Area, and Z => Force Z / Area.
4. Color the FSI boundary by Surface Force Density.
The plot of Surface Force Density on the FSI boundary should look similar to the plot of Impor
ted Pressure in Mechanical. There will be some minor differences due to interpolation and differences
in mesh density.
CFD-Post File Menu
For an example of using this option, see Mechanical Import/Export Commands (p. 110).
Note
One-way FSI cases with porosity transfer only the fluid quantities for 2D Temperature, 3D
Temperature, Heat Transfer Coefficient, and Heat Flux.
Note
Transfer of data between Fluent and Mechanical through CFD-Post is based on nodal data.
Values that are visualized in CFD-Post may differ from values that are exported. For example
in cases where Wall Heat Flux values are zero on the mapped surface, you would see zero
total flux on the surface, as this calculation is based on face data. However, nodal data may
have nonzero values on surface edge nodes, as it is interpolated from all faces that touch
those nodes, including the ones from the neighboring surface (which may have nonzero
flux). This is the data that will be mapped to Mechanical.
7.8.3.1. Options Tab

7.8.3.1.1. File
The File setting specifies the filepath and filename of the file to be exported. You may click the Browse
icon to select the name and location of the file to be exported. The default name is export.sfe
or export.xml (depending on which File Format is chosen) and the default filepath is your current
working directory.
7.8.3.1.2. Location
The Location setting selects the Mechanical surface object to export, which is generated by importing
a .cdb file. For details, see Import Mechanical CDB Surface (p. 98).
Note
The Mechanical load file does not contain mesh coordinate data, and must be interpreted
along with the .cdb file originally imported into CFD-Post.

The Unit System setting specifies the units for the exported data. By default, this uses the global units
system selected in Edit > Options. For details, see Setting the Display Units (p. 142).
7.8.3.1.4. Boundary Vals

The Boundary Vals setting specifies Hybrid or Conservative boundary values. If Boundary Vals
is set to Current, this setting is picked up from each variable. For details, see Variables Details
View (p. 50).
7.8.3.1.5. Export Data

The Export Data setting has the following options:
Export Commands
Option Description
Normal Stress Vector Exports Normal Stress variable data onto imported
surf154 surfaces. Normal Stress is a vector variable
calculated from the normal component of Force.
Tangential Stress Exports Shear Stress variable data onto imported surf154
Vector surfaces. Shear stress data is calculated from the tangential
component of Force.
Stress Vector Exports Stress variable data onto imported surf154
surfaces. Stress data is calculated by vector summing the normal
stress and shear data.
Heat Transfer Coeffi Exports convection variable data onto imported surf152
cient surfaces. When selected, the Specify Reference Temperature
check box will appear.
See Specify Reference Temperature (p. 109), below.

Heat Flux Exports the Heat Flux variable data onto the surf152
surfaces.
Temperature Exports the Temperature variable data on the nodes of the
imported surface.
7.8.3.1.6. Fluids
Fluids is available only if either the Tangential Stress Vector or Stress Vector options
are selected. The Fluids setting specifies which fluids, or All Fluids, that will affect the elements
shear or stress values.
7.8.3.1.7. Specify Reference Temperature

Specify Reference Temperature is available only if the Heat Transfer Coefficient option is selected.
Select this check box to enable you to specify a fixed reference temperature value or expression.
1. If you specify a reference temperature, then the exported heat transfer coefficient is calculated based on
Heat Flux and Temperature data. If the case models radiation, then the heat transfer coefficient also
includes the contribution to the heat flux from radiation.
Note that the variable Surface Heat Transfer Coef is not recognized by CFD-Post for one-
way FSI.
2. If you do not specify a reference temperature, the exported data is based on the Wall Heat Transfer
Coefficient and Wall Adjacent Temperature. This includes only the convective contribution
to the heat flux, and does not include any radiative contribution.
For Fluent Cases: To transfer HTC from Fluent cases without specifying a reference temperature
(method 2 above), the following variables have to be exported to the DAT/CDAT file:
• Wall Func. Heat Tran. Coef (which will be converted to the CFX variable Wall Heat Transfer
Coefficient)
• Temperature. In Fluent, the wall adjacent temperature is calculated by averaging the adjacent cell tem-
peratures to the wall nodes.
CFD-Post File Menu
7.8.3.2. Formatting Tab

The Formatting tab enables you to specify only a precision value. This setting is the same for the Export
command. For details, see Export (p. 99).
7.9. Mechanical Import/Export Commands

The main purpose of the Mechanical import/export facility in CFD-Post is to enable fluid-structure inter-
action (FSI). The facility enables a mapping of boundary data stored in a CFX results file to a surface
stored in an ANSYS mesh (.cdb) file.
For more information, see the Reference Guide for Mesh Deformation and Fluid-Structure Interaction
in the CFX Reference Guide.
7.9.1. Mechanical Import/Export Example: One-Way FSI Data Transfer

You can perform one-way FSI operations manually (by exporting CDB files from Mechanical APDL, im-
porting the surface in CFD-Post, and exporting the SFE commands).
To create an ANSYS load file using CFD-Post to transfer FSI data:
1. Load the fluids results file, from which you want to transfer results, into CFD-Post
2. Select File > Import > Import Mechanical CDB Surface. The Import ANSYS CDB Surface dialog box
appears.
3. In the Import Mechanical CDB Surface dialog box, either:
• Select the CDB file that specifies the surface mesh of the solid object to which to transfer data. Also
select the Associated Boundary for the surface to map onto, and make other selections as appropriate.
• Select the XML document that provides all transfer information. Click OK, and the surface data is loaded.
4. Select File > Export > Export Mechanical Load File. The Export Mechanical Load File dialog box appears.
5. In the Export Mechanical Load File dialog box, select a filename to which to save the data. For the Loc-
ation parameter value, select the imported ANSYS mesh object. Under File Format select ANSYS Load
Commands (FSE or D). (Alternatively, you can select WB Simulation Input (XML) to get XML output.)
Also select the appropriate data to export: Normal Stress Vector, Tangential Stress Vector, Stress Vector,
Heat Transfer Coefficient, Heat Flux, or Temperature. Click Save, and the data file is created.
The one-way FSI data transfer described above is performed automatically when using the FSI: Fluid
Flow (CFX) > Static Structural custom system in ANSYS Workbench. For details, see the FSI: Fluid Flow
(ANSYS CFX) > Static Structural in the Workbench User's Guide section in the ANSYS documentation.
7.10. FSI with Mechanical APDL and CFX: Manual One-way Mapping
You can use CFD-Post to manually generate a load file for Mechanical APDL:
1. Write out a .cdb file that contains the surface or volume mesh by using the CDWRITE command in
Mechanical APDL.
FSI with Mechanical APDL and CFX: Manual One-way Mapping
For surface load mapping, create a layer of SURF154 elements (pressure) or SURF152 elements
(thermal) on the boundary of interest and write out only these elements to the .cdb file.
Note
If you write out a .cdb file for Temperature surface mapping, there is no need to create
surface-effect elements because Temperature will be the Degrees Of Freedom and is
set directly. Instead, select the nodes on the surface of interest and write these to the
.cdb file.
2. Load the .cdb file into CFD-Post using File > Import > Import Mechanical CDB Surface.
Select the associated CFD boundary (disable for body import).
Note
Pick the solid side of a CHT interface.
Upon importing the .cdb file, a User Surface object is created in CFD-Post.
• For surface mapping, you can enable the visibility and view the mesh using the usual Render options.
• For volume mapping, enabling the visibility will not display the Mechanical volume mesh.
To see the node locations, create a Point Cloud object scoped to the User Surface with Sampling
= Vertex and a Reduction Factor of 1.
3. Export the load file from CFD-Post using File > Export > Export Mechanical Load File.
• For Stress, Heat Flux, and HTC, the load file will contain SFE commands to apply loads via the
SURF152/SURF154 elements.
• For Temperature:
– A surface load file will contain D commands to set the Degrees of Freedom.
– A body load file will contain BF commands.
• You must export in Celsius.
• A structural analysis reads BF loads in Celsius regardless of the units selection in Workbench.
You can open the exported file in a text editor to make sure the values look reasonable.
4. Read the load file into Mechanical APDL using the /input command.
Make sure your solution units are consistent with the values exported from CFD-Post. In particular,
note that Mechanical is Celsius by default, while CFX is Kelvin.
5. After solving, check the Solution Information and the .err file to make sure the /input command was
successful. If the file was not read, the solution will still proceed without the load applied.
CFD-Post File Menu
7.11. Report Command

The File > Report menu item has the following options:
Report Templates
Invokes the Report Templates dialog box, where you can browse the list of existing templates or add
(register) a new template. The existing templates are for turbomachinery simulations.
To learn how to use templates, see Report Templates (p. 37).
Load 'Generic Report' Template

Reloads the default template.
Refresh Preview
Updates the report that is displayed on the Report Viewer. You need to do this after making changes to
your report.
This command is equivalent to clicking on the Refresh icon at the top of the Report Viewer.
Publish
Displays the Publish Report dialog box, where you can configure the format and name of your report.
See Publishing the Report (p. 47) for details.
This command is equivalent to clicking on the Publish icon at the top of the Report Viewer.
To learn more about publishing a report, see Report (p. 33).
7.12. Save Picture Command

To save the current contents of the viewer window to a file, select File > Save Picture from the main
menu or click Save Picture . The Save Picture dialog box is displayed.
Save Picture Command
Note
When you save a picture of the Chart Viewer, note that the font sizing and line thickness in
the chart image output are adjusted to approximately reproduce the appearance of the chart
at the initial screen size (700x700 pixels), and are independent of the output image resolution.
Options Tab
The Options tab has the following settings:
File
Enables you to specify the filename of the file. You may enter the filename and path into the File field, or
click the Browse icon and search for the directory in which the file is to be saved.
Files are always saved with the file extension corresponding to the selected graphics format.
Format
To choose a file format, click . When creating a new image file, the file format you choose affects the
quality of the image:
PNG
Portable Network Graphics is a raster file format (*.png) that supports lossless image compression.
CFD Viewer State (3D)

A 3D file format (*.cvf) that can be read back directly into a stand-alone CFD Viewer.
CFD-Post File Menu
JPEG
A compressed file format (*.jpg) developed for compressing raw digital information. File sizes are
relatively small. Due to compression artifacts, this format is not recommended for line drawings.
Windows Bitmap
A file type (*.bmp) that is usually large and does not adjust well to resizing or editing. This file type
does retain all of the quality of the original image and can be easily converted to other formats.
PPM
Portable Pixel Map is a file format (*.ppm) similar to a Windows Bitmap. It is an uncompressed
format and is not recommended for large images.
PostScript and Encapsulated PS

PostScript (*.ps) and Encapsulated PS (*.eps) are generally recommended for output to a printer
or line drawings. However, some graphics objects and features can cause the PS/EPS to output as a
very large bitmap file, in which case a PNG file would be a more efficient alternative. Note that the
ANSYS logo and the axis do not cause the PS/EPS output to become a bitmap.
VRML (3D)
Virtual Reality Modeling Language is a file format (*.wrl) used to present interactive three-dimen-
sional views. The output is VRML 2.0.
AVZ (3D)
ANSYS Viewer Format is a file format (*.avz) used to present interactive three-dimensional views. It
can be displayed using the ANSYS Viewer.
Use Screen Capture Check Box

When Use Screen Capture is selected, a screen capture of the viewer is saved to the output file.
Note
• The Render settings Draw as Lines and Draw as Points are not captured in screen capture
mode.
• When a clip plane is coincident with regions, boundaries, or interfaces that are planes, the
results of a Save Picture command may not match what you see in the 3D Viewer (depending
on the orientation of the case). In this situation, select the Use Screen Capture check box.
White Background Check Box

You can save the current image with a white background by selecting White Background.
When the White Background check box is selected, certain white objects may be colored black and
certain black objects may be colored white in the image file. Objects that are not affected can
usually be manually colored by editing them.
Enhanced Output (Smooth Edges) Check Box

When Enhanced Output (Smooth Edges) is selected, the image is processed by antialiasing.
Use Screen Size Check Box

When Use Screen Size is selected, the output has the same width and height, measured in pixels, as shown
in the viewer. You can clear the check box to specify the width and height manually.
File Types Used and Produced by CFD-Post
Width/Height
You can specify the width and height of the image in pixels by entering values for Width and Height. In
order to use these settings, the Use Screen Size check box must be cleared.
Scale (%)
Scale (%) is used to scale the size of bitmap images to a fraction (in percent) of the current viewer window
size. This option is available when Use Screen Size is selected.
Image Quality
Image Quality is available only for the JPEG format. A value of 100 specifies the highest image quality; a
value of 1 specifies the lowest image quality.
Tolerance
Tolerance is a non-dimensional value used in face sorting when generating pictures. Larger values result
in faster generation times, but may cause defects in the resulting output.
Click Save to save the current viewer contents to an image file.
7.13. Loading Recently Accessed Files

CFD-Post saves the filepaths of the last six results files, state files, and session files. To re-open a recently
used file, select it from the Recent Results Files, Recent State Files, or Recent Session Files, as appro-
priate.
7.14. Quit Command

To exit from CFD-Post, select File > Quit from main menu. Objects created during your CFD-Post session
are not automatically saved. If the there is no state file in memory, the state was changed since the file
was opened, or since the last state save, a dialog box asks whether you want to save the state before
closing. For details, see Save State Command and Save State As Command (p. 95).
7.15. File Types Used and Produced by CFD-Post

This section describes the file types used by CFD-Post and the software that outputs those file types:
7.15.1.Transient Blade Row Postprocessing
7.15.2. ANSYS CFX Files
7.15.3. ANSYS Meshing Files
7.15.4. CFX-4 Dump Files
7.15.5. CFX-TASCflow Results Files
7.15.6. ANSYS Files
7.15.7. ANSYS Icepak Files
7.15.8. CGNS Files
7.15.9. Fluent Files
7.15.10. Forte Files
7.15.1. Transient Blade Row Postprocessing

Transient Blade Row models available in ANSYS CFX (described in Transient Blade Row Modeling in the
CFX-Solver Modeling Guide) make it possible to obtain temporally accurate solutions of transient blade
row interaction, with vastly reduced memory requirements and computational time. There are two main
types of case where these transient blade row models can be applied:
• Single-domain modeling, such as frozen gust (inlet disturbance (for one domain only, either rotor or stator)).
CFD-Post File Menu
• Single-stage, multi-domain modeling, such as transient rotor-stator, or any multistage model.
When a transient blade row case is loaded, CFD-Post automatically creates valid solution variables for
postprocessing (see Variables Tree View (p. 49)).
Locator Object Limitations
• For Transient Blade Row cases, transient statistics for boundary-only variables (such as Force,
Mass Flow, Heat Flux) are not available on the following postprocessing locators (points, lines,
cut-planes, isosurfaces, and iso clips).
• CFD-Post displays the global range for plots in transient blade row cases differently than in other
cases. In a transient blade row case, the global range is computed and extended dynamically
based on the selected domain(s) and timestep. For example if you change the definition of a plot
to include another domain, or if you change the timestep, the global range in the plot's legend
will be extended automatically to cover both the original and the new plot definitions.
Transient blade row cases also interact with the timestep selector; see Using the Timestep Selector with
Transient Blade Row Cases (p. 251) for details.
7.15.2. ANSYS CFX Files

Case Files (.cfx)
A case file is generated when you save a simulation in CFX-Pre. The case file contains the physics data, region
definitions, and mesh information for the simulation and is used by CFX-Pre as the 'database' for the sim-
ulation setup.
A case file is a binary file and cannot be directly edited.
CFX-Mesh Files (.gtm)

GTM files (.gtm) contain mesh regions that can be used to set up a simulation in CFX-Pre or viewed in
CFD-Post.
Limitations with a GTM File in Multiple Results Files When loading a state file that loads multiple
results files including a GTM file, load the mesh file first, and then apply the state.
CFX-Solver Input Files (.def, .mdef)

A CFX-Solver input file is created by CFX-Pre. The input file for a single configuration simulation (.def)
contains all physics and mesh data; the input file for multi-configuration simulations (.mdef) contains
global physics data only (that is, Library and Simulation Control CFX Command Language specifications).
An .mdef input file is supplemented by Configuration Definition (.cfg) files that:
• Are located in a subdirectory that is named according to the base name of the input file
• Contain local physics and mesh data.
Note
Use the -norun command line option (described in Command-Line Options and Keywords
for cfx5solve in the CFX-Solver Manager User's Guide) to merge global information into
the configuration definition files, and produce a CFX-Solver Input file (.def) file that can
be run by the CFX-Solver.
CFX-Solver Results Files (.res, .mres, .trn, .bak)

Intermediate and final results files are created by the CFX-Solver:
• Intermediate results files, which include transient and backup files (.trn and .bak, respectively) are
created while running an analysis.
• Final results files for single and multi-configuration simulations (.res and .mres, respectively) are
written at the end of the simulation’s execution. For multi-configuration simulations, a configuration
result file (.res) is also created at the end of each configuration’s execution.
Each results file contains the following information as of the iteration or time step at which it is
written:
• The physics data (that is, the CFX Command Language specifications)
• All or a subset of the mesh and solution data.
CFX-Solver Backup Results Files (.bak)

A backup file (.bak) is created at your request, either by configuring the settings on the Backup tab in
Output Control in CFX-Pre, or by choosing to write a backup file while the run is in progress in the CFX-
Solver Manager.
CFX-Solver Transient Results Files (.trn)

A transient results file (.trn) is created at your request, by configuring the settings on the Output Control
> Trn Results tab in CFX-Pre.
CFX-Solver Error Results Files (.err)

An error results file (.err) is created when the CFX-Solver detects a failure and stops executing an analysis.
The .err file can be loaded into CFD-Post and treated the same way as a .bak file, but if the CFX-Solver
encounters another failure while writing the .err file, it may become corrupted and accurate solutions
cannot be guaranteed.
Session Files (.cse)

Session files are produced by CFD-Post and contain CCL commands. You can record the commands executed
during a session to a file and then play back the file at a later date. For details, see New Session Com-
mand (p. 145).
You can also modify session files in a text editor.
State Files (.cst)

State files are produced by CFD-Post and contain CCL commands. They differ from session files in that only
a snapshot of the current state is saved to a file. You can also write your own state files using any text ed-
itor. For details, see Save State Command and Save State As Command (p. 95) and Load State Com-
mand (p. 95).
7.15.2.1. Limitations with ANSYS CFX Files

• For transient rotor stator simulations with rotating frames of reference, velocity gradients in the rotating
domain will be read incorrectly into CFD-Post. To avoid this problem, you can define user-defined variables
for the velocity gradients.
CFD-Post File Menu
7.15.3. ANSYS Meshing Files

Both .cmdb files (created in the Meshing application) and .dsdb files (created in Simulation) behave
the same in CFD-Post as .gtm (and .def) files. For details, see File Types Used and Produced by CFD-
Post (p. 115).
Note
• You must have ANSYS Workbench installed in order to be able to load ANSYS Meshing files (cmdb
and dsdb) into CFX-Pre or CFD-Post.
• CFD-Post does not support .cmdb files generated by the Meshing application prior to Release
11.0.
7.15.4. CFX-4 Dump Files

CFD-Post can load dump files (*.d*mp*) created by CFX-4. When you load the results, you may be
prompted to provide the solution units that were used in the simulation. For details, see CFD-Post
Solution Units (p. 139).
7.15.4.1. Limitation with CFX-4 Files

There is an important limitation with CFX-4 results files that should be noted: the CFX-4 Solver does
not output minimum/maximum ranges for each of the calculated variables. These ranges are calculated
when the results file is loaded by CFD-Post. Calculating the range for a very large problem would,
however, require prohibitively large amounts of CPU time. As a result, range values are calculated for
the loaded time step only. This means that values that appear as global range, are in fact ranges that
exist for that time step only.
7.15.4.2. Interpolation of Results

The CFX-4 Solver uses a cell-based solution method, whereas CFX-Solver uses a node-based solution
method. Possible problems can be encountered at the intersection of patches, such as in the following
diagram:
When interpolating from cell-centered to node-centered data, the data at a given node is affected by
all surrounding cells. In order to get the correct behavior at boundary patches, a priority number is as-
signed to each patch by CFD-Post. This means that, for example in the above diagram, if the wall has
a higher priority number than the inlet, the value of the node is interpolated from the wall value of the
CFX solution. When considering a situation in 3D, the priority of all faces is read and interpolation occurs
from the face(s) with the highest priority. CFD-Post uses the same default values for every problem, so
there are cases in which accuracy can be compromised. These errors can be minimized by refining the
grid density in the region around problem areas.
Quantitative calculations can suffer a loss of accuracy due to the limitation described above. The results
of mass flow calculations should, therefore, be assumed to be approximations for the purposes of
quantitative analysis.
7.15.5. CFX-TASCflow Results Files

CFD-Post can import CFX-TASCflow results files for postprocessing. When you load the results, you may
be prompted to provide the solution units that were used in the simulation. For details, see CFD-Post
Solution Units (p. 139).
If TBPOST_COMP_X parameters (where X is the component number) are defined in the GCI file, either
on their own or within the TBPOST_COMP_LIST macro, they are used to obtain the list of turbo
components to load. Each defined component is treated as a separate domain inside CFD-Post, allowing
for their individual turbo initialization.
Note
If this list exists but is incomplete, only the defined components are loaded. If you cannot
load a turbo file, it may be due to an incompatibility in the component definition. As a
workaround, remove TBPOST related parameter and macro definitions from the GCI file.
7.15.5.1. Limitations with CFX-TASCflow Files

• When loading rso or grd files, bcf and prm files are required.
• bcf files must be complete (must contain all domain and boundary condition definitions).
• When using the Turbo Post functionality, separate region names are required for the following 2D location
types:
– Hub
– Shroud
– Blade
– Inlet
– Outlet
– Periodic1
– Periodic2
CFD-Post File Menu
If these regions have not been specified separately (that is, hub and blade comprise of one region),
you will either need to recreate them in the CFX-TASCflow preprocessor or specify the turbo regions
from line locators. For details, see Initialize All Components (p. 295).
• Mass flow and torque are not written to rso files by CFX-TASCflow. These values are approximated in CFD-
Post and may not be suitable for use in a formal quantitative analysis.
7.15.5.2. Variable Translation

By default, CFD-Post does not modify the variable names in the rso file. If you want to use all of the
embedded CFD-Post macros and calculation options, you need to convert variable names to CFX types.
You can convert the variable names to CFX variable names before reading the file by selecting the
preference Edit > Options > CFD-Post > Files Translate variable names to CFX-Solver style names.
Translation is carried out according to the following:
CFX-TASCflow Translated to CFX Variable

T Temperature
TKE Turbulent Kinetic Energy
EPSILON Turbulence Eddy Dissipation
VISC_TURBULENT Eddy Viscosity
VISC_MOLECULAR Molecular Viscosity
CONDUCTIVITY Thermal Conductivity
SPECIFIC_HEAT_P Specific Heat Capacity at Constant Pressure
SPECIFIC_HEAT_V Specific Heat Capacity at Constant Volume
PTOTAL Total Pressure
PTOTAL_REL Total Pressure in Rel Frame
PTOTAL_ABS Total Pressure in Stn Frame
POFF Pressure Offset
P_CORRECTED Pressure Corrected
TTOTAL Total Temperature
TTOTAL_REL Total Temperature in Rel Frame
TTOTAL_ABS Total Temperature in Stn Frame
TOFF Temperature Offset
T_CORRECTED Temperature Corrected
TAU_WALL Wall Shear
YPLUS Solver Yplus
Q_WALL Wall Heat Flux
P Pressure
PRESSURE_STATIC Static Pressure
PRESSURE_REL Relative Pressure
MACH Mach Number
MACH_ABS Mach Number in Stn Frame
MACH_REL Mach Number in Rel Frame
CFX-TASCflow Translated to CFX Variable

HTOTAL Total Enthalpy
HTOTAL_REL Total Enthalpy in Rel Frame
HTOTAL_ABS Total Enthalpy in Stn Frame
ENTHALPY Static Enthalpy
ENTROPY Static Entropy
FE_VOLUME FE Volume
CONTROL_VOLUME Volume of Finite Volumes
DIST_TURB_WALL Wall Distance
7.15.6. ANSYS Files

ANSYS solver files are created from the ANSYS solver. CFD-Post is able to read results for temperature,
velocity, acceleration, magnetic forces, stress, strain, and mesh deformation. The ANSYS solver files may
have load-step variables and time steps; CFD-Post will represent both as time steps. The valid file types
are *.rst, *.rth, *.rmg, *.inn, *.inp, *.cdb.
When ANSYS solver files are read together with CFX-Solver files, fluid dynamics and solid mechanics
results can be analyzed simultaneously. For details on how to load multiple files, see Load Results
Command (p. 91).
The deformations due to change in temperature and stress/strain of the mesh can be amplified by using
the Deformation option available by right-clicking the viewer background. For details, see CFD-Post
3D Viewer Shortcut Menus (p. 78).
7.15.6.1. Limitations with ANSYS Files

There are some important limitations with ANSYS results files:
• If you are postprocessing ANSYS harmonic-analyzed files and all of the variable values are incorrectly dis-
playing as zeroes, you can set the environment variable CFDPOST_RST_SKIP_LAST_DATASET=1 to plot
the variables with nonzero values from the second-last dataset of the results file (which does not contain
frequency values of zero).
• CFD-Post does not fully support undefined and user-defined as values for RST units. In those cases, CFD-
Post assumes SI units.
If you want to use CFD-Post to postprocess an ANSYS RST file outside of ANSYS Workbench and you
do not want to have CFD-Post assume SI units, you can set an environment variable (CFD-
POST_RST_SHOW_UNITS_DIALOG=1) to cause the Solution Units dialog box (described in Solution
Units Dialog Box (p. 94)) to appear. Note that this will cause the Solution Units dialog box to appear
even when CFD-Post can read the units in the results file.
• The ANSYS Solver does not output minimum/maximum ranges for each of the calculated variables; these
ranges are calculated when the results file is loaded by CFD-Post. Calculating the range for a very large
problem would, however, require prohibitively large amounts of CPU time. As a result, range values are
calculated for the loaded time step only. This means that values that appear as global range, are in fact
ranges that exist for that time step only, at first. As more time steps are added, the global range is extended
accordingly. If you want to enable the calculation of true global ranges (and incur the potentially large CPU
CFD-Post File Menu
time each time you load a non-ANSYS CFX file), you can do this by selecting Edit > Options and selecting
Pre-calculate global variable ranges, under Files. For details, see Files (p. 137).
• CFD-Post plots only ANSYS variables that exist in RST files; unlike ANSYS, it will not calculate other variables
automatically. Therefore, some variables that you would expect to be able to plot (as in ANSYS) either will
be missing or will have all zero values in CFD-Post.
• RST files do not store data for principal stresses. There is a slight difference for principal stress calculated
in CFD-Post and ANSYS. CFD-Post calculates principal stresses on a node by averaging the stresses on each
element touching the node. However, ANSYS calculates principal stresses based on node-averaged stresses.
This difference can be minimized by the use of a finer mesh.
You can also configure ANSYS to calculate principal stresses the same way as CFD-Post by issuing
the command avprin, 1, and replotting the values.
• By default, an ANSYS results file does not contain the definitions of any components that you may have
created in the simulation set up and so these will not be available as regions for plotting in CFD-Post.
However, it is possible to produce an additional "components" file that does contain these definitions. If
CFD-Post finds a file with the name filename.cm in the same directory and with the same filename
(excluding the file extension) as the ANSYS results file, then it will read component definitions from this file.
For instance, if you are postprocessing the ANSYS results file OscillatingPlate.rst, CFD-Post will
look for the file OscillatingPlate.cm in the same directory to find component definitions. You can
get ANSYS to write the components file by including a command CMWRITE,<jobname>,cm in your ANSYS
input file, before the SOLVE command. If .cm files are to be loaded into CFD-Post, job names need to be
consistent across restarts, input file processing, and regular runs. If your ANSYS results file was produced by
an ANSYS Multi-field run that had its multi-field commands set up in CFX-Pre, then this command is already
added automatically into the resulting ANSYS input file as part of the input file processing.
• Components files (CM files) must have been output in blocked format (which is the default output format).
Refer to the ANSYS documentation to learn how to control the ANSYS output format.
All regions from components files are read as surfaces. If a region is volumetric, CFD-Post will read
the outer surface only.
CFD-Post will read only nodal components. Components that consist of elements will be ignored.
• CFD-Post can read a limited number of ANSYS results files that contain shell elements only. It depends on
the problem setup details as to whether a file can be successfully read or not. CFD-Post cannot read any
ANSYS results files that contain no 3D or shell elements.
• While the ANSYS MFX solver requires nodal and element solution data to be present in the results file for
all time steps on the FSI interface, it does not require this data in other places in the geometry. Excluding
that data means that the results file size can be reduced when you use ANSYS. When you use CFD-Post, on
the other hand, all data must be available at all nodes/elements for all time steps.
• When reading RST files, CFD-Post ignores mid-side nodes and duplicate nodes. The latter situation occurs
when a case has multiple bodies with matching meshes on the interfaces. The simulation picks up duplicate
nodes and plots accordingly, giving a discontinuous plot. However CFD-Post picks up only one of the nodes,
causing one domain to appear to spill into the next.
• In ANSYS, simulation characteristics such as maximum values are derived from actual local node values. In
CFD-Post values need to be presented on global nodes, therefore CFD-Post takes a simple average from all
shared elements' local values. When compared the two calculations will be similar, but not exactly the same.
• ANSYS files that contain mid-edge nodes will cause mesh report to be inaccurate (the Connectivity range
may be reported as zero).
• When ANSYS electrical data is read in CFD-Post, units are not displayed for quantities such as Electric Potential
or for Electric Flux1.
• ANSYS Mechanical results file contains shell elements with data on both the top and bottom sides. CFD-Post
currently does not support separate data on the two sides. Only data from the top side will be read. If you
want to load results from the bottom side, you can set the environment variable CFDPOST_RST_READ_BOT-
TOM_SHELL_DATA.
• When exporting Heat Flux to ANSYS Mechanical, you should always select the fluid side of the interface.
7.15.7. ANSYS Icepak Files

When using ANSYS Icepak with CFD-Post, a custom session file (IcepakCustomVariables.cse)
loads into CFD-Post when you load results files (.cas and .dat) or refresh the Results cell in ANSYS
Workbench. This session file creates variables required to use the ANSYS Icepak files fully within CFD-
Post.
Icepak exports the solution variables: Pressure, X/Y/Z velocities, and temperatures. In addition, for some
models you can select additional variables in Icepak to export to CFD-Post:
User defined memory 0/1/2

The X/Y/Z direction thermal conductivities at every node in the domain.
Heat Flux Vector

Akin to velocity vectors, you can use this variable to plot heat flux vectors at any location in the domain.
Thermal Cross
The cross product of the Heat Flux and the gradient of Temperature. You can use this to locate regions of
large heat flux vectors that are not aligned with high temperature gradients, therefore implying possible
regions for shorting heat flow.
Thermal Chokepoint
The dot product of Heat Flux and the gradient of Temperature. You can use this to locate regions of high
heat flux coupled with high thermal resistances.
7.15.8. CGNS Files

CFD-Post has limited support for reading meshes and solutions from CGNS (CFD General Notation System)
version 2.4 files and version 3.0 files. Extensions for such files are typically .cgns and .cgs. The following
shows the supported and unsupported features of CGNS.
Note
• By default, variable names are adjusted to conform to the CFX naming style, which may not always
be desirable. To preserve the original variable names in the file, open Edit > Options > CFD-Post
> Files and clear Translate variable names to CFX-Solver style names.
1
Electric Flux is the electric current density.
CFD-Post File Menu
• Only one CGNS file can be postprocessed at a time; multiple simultaneous CGNS files are not
supported.
Supported Not supported

3D problems 1D and 2D problems
Elements of the following types: Elements of the following types:
TRI_3, QUAD_4, TETRA_4, PENTA_6, TRI_6, QUAD_8, QUAD_9, TETRA_10, PENTA_15,

PYRA_5, HEXA_8 and MIXED PENTA_18, PYRA_14, HEXA_20, HEXA_27
Base #1 Base selection
Steady-state solutions (solution #1) Transient solution
Regions
Zone connections
Periodic crossings
7.15.9. Fluent Files

CFD-Post can load Fluent version 6 and version 12.0 or later (preferred) result files (.cas, .cas.gz,
.dat, .dat.gz, .cdat, .cdat.gz), and mesh files (.msh, .msh.gz) for postprocessing.
Important
Fluent .dat files may contain incompatible variables in CFD-Post. These variables, when
written by versions of Fluent earlier than 18.0 may show differences when displayed in CFD-
Post when compared to Fluent.
It is recommended to explicitly specify the quantities you want to postprocess when exporting
information from Fluent to CFD-Post via .cdat/.cdat.gz files. See Exporting to ANSYS
CFD-Post in the Fluent User's Guide for details on exporting .cdat/.cdat.gz files.
Alternatively, if additional files need to be avoided, you can select additional postprocessing
quantities to write to a Fluent .dat /.dat.gz file. See Setting Data File Quantities in the
Fluent User's Guide for details on how to select additional postprocessing quantities. Using
regular .dat/.dat.gz files may result in quantitative differences from Fluent while post-
processing in CFD-Post.
CFD-Post can load Fluent particle track files.
CFD-Post does not calculate derived variables, therefore only variables available in the file can be used.
However, you can export any variable to the dat or cdat files from Fluent 12.0 or later. For more in-
formation about these file types, see the ANSYS Fluent documentation.
Fluent files store variable values at the cell centers of the mesh. CFD-Post interpolates these values to
nodes using an interpolation method similar to the interpolation of CFX-4 files. For details, see Interpol-
ation of Results (p. 118). The valid file extensions are listed in the File type setting of the Load Results
File dialog box.
In CFD-Post, a wall boundary takes precedence over other boundaries, so all wall nodes will have wall
values irrespective of whether they are on any other boundary.
Note
You must select only one file from a sequence of related Fluent files in the Load dialog box
(normally the final timestep's dat or cdat file); other related files are loaded automatically.
7.15.9.1. Limitations with Fluent Files

Fluent files are supported with the following limitations:
Limitations in Previous Versions
• Grid interfaces from Fluent versions 6.3 and older are not supported by CFD-Post. If your .cas file has old
grid interfaces, read the .cas and .dat file into the Fluent Release 12.0 (or later), run at least one iteration,
and save the file to change to the new grid interfaces. This will convert grid interfaces to use the virtual
polygon method and make the file readable in CFD-Post. Attempting to read old grid interfaces may cause
CFD-Post to exit.
• To postprocess forces or fluxes using the DBNS solver of Fluent for cases from versions prior to Release 12.0,
you must read the case into Fluent Release 12.0 (or later), iterate at least once, and then write out the .cas
and .dat files.
• Holes may appear in Planes/iso-surfaces created using old Fluent mesh/case files (from earlier than Release
14.5) for hex-core/cut-cell mesh cases.
Limitations Involving Elements and Nodes
• In ANSYS Fluent, any element can have any number of faces. The maximum number of nodes in a polyhedron
element is 256 and in a polygon face is 128 (however the contour-creation algorithm has a limit of 64 nodes
per face).
• Plots created in CFD-Post that are based on node values (not cell/face values) can have undesired smoothing
of results on the edges where nodes are shared by two objects.
• CFD-Post does not smooth out values across non-conformal interface boundaries; that is, there must be a
1-1 mapping of nodes across the interface. As a result, contour and color plots as well as iso-surfaces are
discontinuous across these interfaces. Therefore, the node values displayed by CFD-Post at non-conformal
interfaces may differ from those shown by Fluent.
• Case comparison is not available for cell based contours of Fluent results.
File-based Limitations
• CFD-Post does not support UDNM (User-Defined Node Memory) variables from Fluent.
• Unsteady statistic variables (such as Mean X Velocity and RMS Static Pressure) are not to be
read from the standard DAT file. If needed, you can export these variables explicitly in a CDAT file or append
the variables to the DAT file.
• For Fluent files, the gradients computed by CFD-Post are discontinuous across domains.
CFD-Post File Menu
• CFD-Post can read zone-motion variables (origin, axis, omega, grid-velocity) on profile boundaries from
Fluent files only if the variables are constants. For cases where any of these values are specified as non-
constants, CFD-Post ignores the variable. In such conditions, CFD-Post cannot transform the velocity from
absolute to the relative frame or the reverse. Other dependent variables (such as Mach Number and Vorticity)
will not be available unless explicitly exported from Fluent using either a .cdat file or data file options.
There will be a warning message issued when these files are read.
• For Fluent files using the energy model, Heat Flux is available for all boundaries and Wall Heat Flux is available
only for walls. The values of these two variables will be same on walls.
• You need to be careful when choosing geometry names in Fluent when the file will be read in CFD-Post.
The geometry names must not contain special characters such as '-', '|', and ':'. All such characters will be
replaced by a space (which is allowed in names in CFD-Post).
• CFD-Post can read files written from Fluent, but the reading of mesh files written from TGrid or GAMBIT is
not supported and may cause CFD-Post to terminate abnormally.
• CFD-Post reads User-Defined Materials (UDM) and User-Defined Scalars (UDS) as follows:
– When .cas/.dat files are read into CFD-Post, UDM/UDS variables will appear with names as "User
Defined Memory 0"/"Scalar 0".
– When .cas/.dat files are read into CFD-Post, CFD-Post will show all UDM/UDS variables that were ex-
ported to the CDAT file.
• Fluent .cas, .dat, and .cdat files do not contain the units for user-defined scalars, user-defined memory,
or custom field functions, so these will be dimensionless in CFD-Post.
• CFD-Post cannot import Boundary Mesh files, even though Boundary Mesh files have the .msh file extension.
• CFD-Post can read Fluent case files that have imprinted surfaces defined in them. However, the imprinted
surfaces are ignored in CFD-Post.
General Limitations
• Wall Shear Stress and its components should not be added as Additional Quantities to be written in a
Fluent .dat file. This causes CFD-Post to report incorrect values for Wall Shear Stress. Wall Shear Stress
values are always present in .dat files and CFD-Post uses them by default to report correct values.
• When reading a Fluent results file, CFD-Post may report an incorrect sign for mass flow on a conformal in-
ternal boundary (known as an "interior" type in Fluent) that is located at the boundary between two domains.
To determine the direction of mass flow, use a CEL expression based on the normalized dot product of the
local velocity and the face normal:
Corrected Mass Flow

= sum(abs(Mass Flow)*massFlowCorrectionNorm)@<region> massFlowCorrection
= Normal X*u + Normal Y*v + Normal Z*w massFlowCorrectionNorm
= -massFlowCorrection/abs(massFlowCorrection)
• For axisymmetric cases, the point values in CFD-Post may differ from values reported in Fluent due to the
extrusion of the 2D domain in the theta direction.
• When selecting to output additional variables in a DAT file in Fluent (via the Data File Quantities panel), a
variable is written to the user-specified section of a DAT file. CFD-Post will check to see if the same variable
is available in the basic section of the DAT file. If so, the variable from the basic section will not be read in
CFD-Post; only the variables from the user-specified section of the DAT file will be read.
• Value ranges reported by the function calculator may differ from the values shown by a contour. The function
calculator results are based on cell/face values while contours show values based on either cell/face values
or node values; for details, see Variable Location: Vertex and Face Options (p. 190).
• CFD-Post does not account for surface tension forces.
• Certain real gas properties are not available in CFD-Post for use: gas constant, molecular viscosity, specific
heat, and sound speed.
• The variable Boundary Heat Flux Sensible is available only for boundary types velocity-inlet, mass-flow-inlet,
pressure-inlet, pressure-outlet, pressure-far-field, and outflow.
• For transient Fluent cases, there is no support for adding or removing time steps in the timestep selector.
• There may be problems postprocessing transient Fluent cases that involve boundary name or type changes
at intermediate time steps.
• There is no support for loading of a subset of domains. All domains are always loaded.
• A DBNS solver with laminar flow will have zero shear stress on all walls. Force calculations will not include
viscous component in such cases.
• CFD-Post will not display any shear stress values on coupled non-conformal interfaces as shear stresses are
undefined on such interfaces.
• CFD-Post cannot read Fluent cases that have CAS and DAT files output in different directories.
• You cannot use X, Y, or Z variables in expressions or plots in moving mesh transient cases. For example, instead
of an Isosurface of X, use a YZ Plane.
• Surface streamlines cannot be created on wall boundaries as wall velocities are zero. The recommendation
is to create the streamline based on the Wall Shear vector. Ensure that Wall Shear is in the file; if it is not,
return to Fluent and export that variable.
Alternatively, you can use the near wall velocity for streamlines (and other plots) by setting CFD-
POST_BOUNDARY_DATA_FROM_ELEMENTS before running CFD-Post.
In the regions where the mesh is coarse and vector variable gradients are steep, streamlines in CFD-
Post may hit walls earlier than similar streamlines in Fluent. This is due to a difference in computation
methods, and can be avoided by refining the mesh.
• Molar Weight will always have units of kg/mol in CFD-Post, but units of kg/kmol in Fluent. This will be true
for all quantities involving 'mol' or 'kmol' in units.
To learn how to control the units displayed by CFD-Post, see Setting the Display Units (p. 142).
• When creating Streamlines for Dual Cell heat exchanged Fluent cases, exclude Auxiliary Fluid domains from
the Domains list as these domains can cause the streamlines to terminate too early.
CFD-Post File Menu
Differences Between CFD-Post and Fluent
• A line in CFD-Post of type Sample gives results that match with Fluent's 'line' if the environment variable
CFDPOST_BOUNDARY_DATA_FROM_ELEMENTS is set to 1. However, a line in CFD-Post of type Cut gives
results that do not match with Fluent's 'rake' as the former in infinite and the latter is clipped.
• Plots of velocity vectors on wall boundaries do not match between CFD-Post and Fluent. Fluent always uses
adjacent cell velocity for plotting vectors whereas CFD-Post uses node velocity (interpolated from cell/face
values).
• The results of calculations by CFD-Post for Fluent 2D cases are for a reference-depth from the Fluent case
file. For axisymmetric cases, the reference-depth is 2*pi; that is, the results calculations are for the complete
cylindrical region, and not what is shown in the viewer (which is a sector from the complete cylinder). This
matches the behavior of Fluent.
Results will be consistent for all quantitative calculations on all locations. For example, a slice plane
will be assumed to be cutting the full cylinder.
• CFD-Post reads Total Pressure data from the Fluent results file if this quantity exists. If the data is not supplied
in the file, this quantity is not calculated by CFD-Post.
• Averaging of vector quantities to nodes differs between CFD-Post and Fluent. In Fluent, vector magnitudes
are averaged to nodes explicitly; in CFD-Post, only vector components are averaged to nodes, while the
magnitude is calculated from the components at the nodes. The two magnitudes will differ in cases with
sharp vector gradients or high face angles (usually due to a coarse mesh).
For example, if a node has four faces attached that have shear stresses in directions radially away
from the node, in CFD-Post the shear stress values at the node will be much smaller in magnitude
compared with the face stresses because the stresses in opposite directions cancel out. In Fluent, the
direction is ignored and only magnitude is taken into account while calculating the stress magnitude
at the node.
Plots cannot display cell or face data directly, only nodal averages. However, cell and face data will
be used in quantitative reports on volumes, boundaries, planes, iso clips, and isosurfaces (averages,
mass flows, integrals). Lines, polyline, and points will use only nodal averages for quantitative calcu-
lations.
• Velocity magnitude values for Fluent in CFD-Post are not in good agreement with Fluent results for cases
with multiple-frame-of-reference or sliding-mesh models.
For cases solved with relative velocity:
– The "Velocity in Stn Frame" plotted in CFD-Post is equivalent to "Velocity Magnitude" in Fluent. Similarly,
other quantities dependent on Velocity such as Total Pressure or Total Temperature will have the suffix
"in Stn Frame" (e.g. Total Temperature in Stn Frame corresponding to Total Temperature) for stationary
frame variables in Fluent. Variables in the relative frame of motion will be without this suffix.
– There is no Fluent equivalent for the CFD-Post variable "Velocity" as this represents a relative velocity in
the local reference frame of the domain (which is not available for postprocessing in Fluent).
– There is no CFD-Post equivalent for Fluent's "Relative Velocity". In Fluent, "Relative Velocity" is always rel-
ative to a global frame of reference (which you can select in Fluent Reference Values panel; if no reference
frame is selected, an “Absolute Velocity” is used, not a “Reference Velocity”).
– When loading Fluent results, CFD-Post does not calculate global ranges by default as this would be too
time-consuming (there is a warning to this effect when you load a Fluent case). However, when the variable
is used for the first time (for example, when it is plotted), and as timesteps are loaded, the global range
should be continually updated.
• For cases with 1:1 interfaces, due to a difference in the handling on nodes at these interfaces, the number
of nodes reported by CFD-Post will be different than the number reported by Fluent. However, the number
of cells should match.
• In the cavitation model in Fluent, the minimum value for Pressure is limited by the cavitation pressure; (this
is not done in CFD-Post).
• For the cavitation model, there are differences in the volume fraction values between Fluent and CFD-Post.
• For some cases (for example, shell conduction model), the number of cells/elements reported by Fluent is
more than that of CFD-Post. This difference is due to the additional cells Fluent creates internally for solving
some physics; these are never written into the case file. Fluent reports include these cells as well.
• CFD-Post and Fluent may use different sources of data when generating contour plots. For details, see
Variable Location: Vertex and Face Options (p. 190).
• CFD-Post and Fluent display contours differently in the vicinity of a hanging node. Fluent takes values from
cells only on one side, causing a discontinuity of contours. In CFD-Post, the hanging node is made to be a
conformal node and takes values from cells on both sides, making a smoother contour.
• A periodic surface in Fluent is actually a pair of surfaces. In CFD-Post this pair appears as a Periodic object
and a corresponding Periodic Shadow. When looking at quantitative results in CFD-Post, you need to look
at a surface group that contains the “periodic/periodic-shadow” to see output that is in agreement with
Fluent's results.
• Field variables may be discontinuous across an interface that joins domains of differing porosity. Variable
values on the interface boundaries are not averaged across the interface. You can inspect variable values
on each side of the interface separately.
• There may be substantial differences between gradients calculated in the Fluent solver and gradients calcu-
lated in CFD-Post. The Fluent solver uses options such as boundary treatments and limiters to calculate
gradients; CFD-Post calculates gradients independently of the Fluent solver, and does not have access to
all of the same data.
The gradients computed by the Fluent solver can be transferred into CFD-Post by exporting them as
variables and then loading them into CFD-Post.
• Also see Quantitative Differences Between CFD-Post and Fluent (p. 130).
Turbo Limitations
• CFD-Post can initialize turbo space only for domains that are enclosed with inlet, outlet, hub, and shroud
regions. For more complex geometries you must set up the problem such that the region of interest is isolated
into a separate domain that can be initialized in CFD-Post.
• When choosing a report template for a Fluent turbo report, choose Release 12 templates (which do not
have the word “Rotor” in the template name).
Report template that have “Rotor” in the template name are from Release 11 and require variables
that are not available from Fluent turbo files.
CFD-Post File Menu
• For rotating machinery applications, identification of components and ordering, regions, rotation axis,
number of passages, and interfaces cannot be done automatically; you must supply this information on the
Turbo initialization panel. When generating turbo reports, select variables, instance transforms, and expres-
sions will require manual updates; for details see Procedures for Using Turbo Reports when Turbomachinery
Data is Missing (p. 41).
Limitations of Load Transfer to Mechanical
• In cases where forces on surfaces are transferred between Fluent and Mechanical, the forces displayed on
the surface are read directly from the Fluent results file, while the forces on the corresponding mechanical
surface are averaged to the nodes. When viewed in CFD-Post, the values of the surface and mechanical
forces will not match.
Polyflow and FIDAP Limitations
• Some Polyflow and FIDAP cases may have interior surfaces that are read into CFD-Post as boundaries. Unlike
other boundaries, these "interior boundaries" cannot be used to create Polyline objects by intersecting them
with a slice plane.
• CFX Results files generated by Polyflow do not contain all the necessary information required for some
automatic calculations in CFD-Post, including force and torque functions.
Limitations in the Export and Display of Fluent Particle Tracks
• If particle track files from Fluent were written with rpvar dpm/io/cfd-post/export-int64? set to #t (default is
#f ), then, in order for CFD-Post to read the particle track files, you must have environment variable CFX
POST_READ_64BIT_FLUENT_PARTICLE_IDS set to 1.
• It is not possible to group or color transient particles by stream.
• The size of exported files and the intermediate history file is limited to 2 GB on architectures that have
sizeof(long)==4 (for example: win64, ntx86, and lnx86).
• When Fluent particle tracks cross periodic boundaries, there will be a gap between the point on one side
of the periodic boundary and the point on the other side. This is most visible if instancing is enabled, but
appears only in transient cases.
• CFD-Post displays particle tracks as segments, whereas ANSYS Fluent displays particle tracks as points. This
is particularly shown by transient cases when viewing tracks for a particular timestep: CFD-Post displays
tracks as segments of the track from the previous timestep to the current timestep, while ANSYS Fluent
shows points at the current timestep. Because of this, the range of the color variable will include data that
is not included by ANSYS Fluent when displaying particle tracks.
7.15.9.2. Quantitative Differences Between CFD-Post and Fluent

• Computing the sum of any variable on any surface returns a value in CFD-Post that is the Fluent value divided
by 2*pi.
• In a case with two domains, the nodes on the boundary in Fluent will get their values from the domain that
has the higher priority; CFD-Post uses the average of the boundary values from both domains.
• If Volume Fraction is not available in the list of variables for multiphase Fluent cases, the phase forces reported
by CFD-Post will be same as the total force.
• Wall Heat Flux values reported by CFD-Post for moving and deforming meshes cases will not match those
for Fluent. This is because Fluent adds pressure work to get the energy balance.
• For some cases, the fluxes (Mass Flow()@<surface> or AreaInt(Boundary Heat Flux)@<surface>) from CFD-
Post are different from the values reported by Flux Reports panel from Fluent. This is due to some additional
physics model-based calculations done by Fluent that are not available in CFD-Post. However, you can use
the Fluent Surface Integral or Volume Integral panel results for comparison with CFD-Post.
• The Function Calculator may give variable averages on slice planes, isosurfaces, and interiors that are different
from those given by Fluent. These differences may occur when the surface is cutting through a mesh face
that joins two mesh elements. In this situation, CFD-Post may use the element-center data from a different
element than Fluent uses. Note that as both elements are equally valid choices, both calculations are correct.
• Due to differences between Fluent and CFD-Post in the handling of vector quantities, velocity values can
be different on 'interior' zones (conformal domain interfaces).
• In CFD-Post, on boundaries that have zero velocity, Total Temperature and Total Pressure will have same
values as Temperature and Pressure, respectively (as expected). In Fluent, Total Temperature is different
from Temperature for boundaries that have zero velocity; similar differences apply between Total Pressure
and Pressure. This is a limitation in Fluent.
If you export 'Total Pressure' from Fluent, the CFD-Post results will be closer to what Fluent shows.
• On boundaries, CFD-Post produces more accurate quantitative results involving geometric variables (such
as X, Y, Z) than Fluent reports. This is because Fluent uses geometric variable data from adjacent cell centers
instead of the boundary face centers. However, you can get CFD-Post results to match Fluent results exactly
by setting the environment variable CFDPOST_MATCH_FLUENT_RESULTS to 1 before running CFD-Post.
• There are very small differences between Fluent and CFD-Post in the way that area is calculated for
axisymmetric cases; this area is used in quantitative functions. Fluent calculates the area for any axisymmetric
case as , where r is centroid-y of the facet. CFD-Post extrudes the 2D geometry to create a 3D wedge
(of wedge angle 7.5°) then calculates the area by repeating the wedge to create a 360° cylinder. This is
similar to approximating the perimeter of a circle by measuring the perimeter of an inscribed uniform
polygon.
• CFD-Post results match with Fluent "Vertex" values instead of "Facet" values for Species Reaction and VOF
cases. To have results from CFD-Post match results from Fluent, set the environment variable CFD-
POST_BOUNDARY_DATA_FROM_ELEMENTS to 1.
• Global variable ranges shown in plots are nodal (averaged) ranges.
• The Global variable range for a Wall Heat Transfer Coefficient is incorrectly reported as zero; use the Local
variable range instead.
• For the cavitation model, there are differences in values for volume fraction and pressure between Fluent
and CFD-Post. In CFD-Post, pressure values are not clipped to the cavitation pressure. The values for pressure
and volume fraction displayed in Fluent are correct.
• Face/cell data is not available on any surface that was exported from Fluent and then subsequently used
as a location in CFD-Post. Only nodal values are used for all qualitative (contours/vector) as well as quantit-
ative purposes. It is expected that there may be differences in quantitative results when compared to Fluent.
CFD-Post File Menu
7.15.10. Forte Files

CFD-Post can load Forte results files (.ftind) for postprocessing.
Chapter 8: CFD-Post Monitor Menu
The Monitor menu enables you to view solution data while the solver is executing. To use this feature,
you must have predefined a User Location in CFX-Pre and set up CFX-Pre to output variable data onto
a Monitor Surface. For more information, see Monitor Surfaces: Frame Overview in the CFX-Pre User's
Guide.

8.1. Monitor Run in Progress
8.2. Start Auto Update
8.3. Stop Auto Update
8.4. Update Once
8.1. Monitor Run in Progress

To enable monitoring in CFD-Post, you must use the Monitor Run in Progress option and select the
run directory you want to monitor:
Note
Monitoring of multi-configuration runs is not supported. It is only possible to monitor run

directories of individual configuration runs.
1. Select Monitor > Monitor Run in Progress.
The Select a Run Directory (.dir) dialog box is displayed.
2. Browse to the directory containing the run.
3. Select the run directory.
4. Click Choose.
You can now monitor the run in CFD-Post on your predefined Monitor Surface using the following op-
tions.
8.2. Start Auto Update

The Start Auto Update option continually reads the most recent solution data from the current run in
progress. You can see the solution update over time by creating a post-processing object (such as a
contour) on your predefined monitor surface.
After selecting Start Auto Update, all user actions related to object creation and editing are disabled.
When the solver run in finished, the last iteration is read into CFD-Post, and all user actions are made
available to you.
CFD-Post Monitor Menu
8.3. Stop Auto Update

The Stop Auto Update option stops CFD-Post from reading further solution data generated by the
CFX-Solver and the last read iteration remains loaded. This enables the previously disabled user actions
in CFD-Post related to object creation and editing.
8.4. Update Once

The Update Once option reads solution data up to the last solved iteration, with the most recent being
displayed in CFD-Post. Afterwards, the CFD-Post user interface is enabled so you can perform regular
actions related to object creation and editing.
Chapter 9: CFD-Post Edit Menu and Options (Preferences)
Undo and Redo commands are available in the Edit menu. Additionally, there are a variety of options
that can be set to customize the software.
• Undo and Redo (p. 135)
• Setting Preferences with the Options Dialog (p. 136)
9.1. Undo and Redo

The undo and redo capability is limited by the amount of available memory.
In stand-alone mode, the undo stack is cleared whenever a New, Open, or Close action occurs. Similarly,
when using CFX-Pre/CFD-Post from within ANSYS Workbench, the undo stack is cleared in CFX-Pre/CFD-
Post after the application receives commands from ANSYS Workbench.
Issue the Undo command by doing any of the following:
• Select Edit > Undo.
• Click Undo on the toolbar.
• Press Ctrl + Z
Note
• You can repeatedly issue the Undo command.
• Some viewer manipulations cannot be reverted using the Undo command.
• Some commands that you issue have multiple components. For example, when you create some
objects the software creates the object and sets the visibility of the object on (in two separate
operations). Thus, when you perform an undo operation in such a situation, you are setting the
visibility of the object off; you must choose undo a second time to “uncreate” the object.
• Undo cannot be used when recording session files.
The redo feature is used to do an action that you have just undone using the Undo command. Issue
the Redo command by doing any of the following:
• Select Edit > Redo.
• Click Redo on the toolbar.
CFD-Post Edit Menu and Options (Preferences)
• Press Ctrl + Y
9.2. Setting Preferences with the Options Dialog

The Options dialog box enables you to set various general preferences. Settings are retained per user.
1. Select Edit > Options.
The Options dialog box appears.
2. Set options as required. For descriptions of the available options, see:
• CFD-Post Options (p. 136)
• Common Options (p. 141)
If desired, you can use the CFX Defaults or the Workbench Defaults buttons at the bottom of
the dialog box to quickly set CFX-Pre, CFX-Solver Manager, and CFD-Post to have the standard
appearance and operation of CFX or Workbench respectively. The only CFD-Post settings that are
affected by these buttons are:
• CFD-Post > Viewer > Background > Color Type
• CFD-Post > Viewer > Background > Color
• CFD-Post > Viewer > Text Color
• CFD-Post > Viewer > Edge Color
• Common > Viewer Setup > Mouse Mapping
3. Click OK.
Your changes are generally implemented immediately. However, when changing the following
user preferences, it will be necessary to restart CFD-Post for the setting to take effect:
• CFD-Post > Enable Beta Features
• CFD-Post > Viewer > Object Highlighting
• CFD-Post > Viewer > Hide ANSYS Logo
• CFD-Post > Viewer > Stereo
• Common > Temporary Directory
• Common > Viewer Setup > Double Buffering
9.2.1. CFD-Post Options

When the Options dialog box appears, CFD-Post options can be configured under CFD-Post.
Setting Preferences with the Options Dialog
9.2.1.1. Interpolation Tolerance

The Interpolation Tolerance sets the amount of the area outside the domain that will be treated as a
part of the domain when interpolating variables. For example, a point that is within this tolerance distance
will be given a value that is interpolated from the nearest domain boundary face.
By default the tolerance "layer" is 0.2% of the domain. You can set the value to 0 to turn the Interpolation
Tolerance off.
Note that this value should be set to a value less than half the size of the smallest openings or features
of the domain geometry. This prevents a point from being detected in two overlapping Interpolation
Tolerance regions.
If the Interpolation Tolerance setting is too high, there could be undefined nodes and malformed
elements in the virtual layer, especially around sharply-contoured regions of the domain surface.
Changes to the interpolation tolerance can affect how data is interpolated onto objects such as Sample
Planes, Polylines, User surfaces, Surfaces of Rotation, and so on. Each of these objects, depending on
how close the defined points are to the domain, may have slightly changed behavior, depending on
how close to the domain the points are defined.
9.2.1.2. Angular Shift for Transient Rotating Locations

This option takes effect when a new case is loaded, and affects rotating domains and Monitor Surfaces
defined with a rotating coordinate frame. The option can be set to:
Automatic
This is the default option. CFD-Post displays the rotated position of the rotating locations considering the
currently-loaded timestep. CFD-Post uses the rotated position for a domain (and associated locations such
as domain boundaries) only if the domain touches a transient rotor-stator interface. The rotated position
for a Monitor Surface is always used.
Always rotate
CFD-Post displays the rotated position of the rotating locations applicable to the currently-loaded timestep.
Domains and Monitor Surfaces are always displayed in their rotated position regardless of any interfaces
in the setup.
Never rotate
CFD-Post always uses the initial position of the rotating domains and Monitor Surfaces.
Because the rotating domains may be in a rotated position when they are loaded into CFD-Post for
postprocessing, force calculations made on the rotating domains can have different results depending
on the setting of the option above.
9.2.1.3. Enable Beta Features

Some Beta features are hidden in the user interface. You can select this option to “unhide” those features.
When selected, such features are identified by "(Beta)" in the user interface. Note that Beta features are
unofficial and not well tested.
9.2.1.4. Files
Changes made in this panel will take effect the next time you load a file.
• Warn prior to loading the same results file more than once controls whether you are warned when you
attempt to load a file that is already loaded. The warning appears when both the filename and the file contents
are the same as a currently loaded file.
• Select Show domain selector before load to enable you to choose which domains to load when more
than one domain exists in the results file. If this option is turned off, then all domains will be loaded next
time you load a results file.
• Under CFX Mass Flow Expression Method Used for Physical Surfaces: select an option to control how
mass flow data is calculated (for example by the massFlow, massFlowAve, and massFlowAveAbs
functions):
– Use surface shape approximated by the nearest control volume faces (not recommended for cases
with GGI interfaces)
This method can provide more accurate massFlow rates. However, it may provide inaccurate results
if the surface over which the mass flow is evaluated crosses a GGI interface.
– Use surface mass flows computed from interpolated nodal values (recommended for general cases)
This method is recommended because the results do not suffer if the surface over which the mass
flow is evaluated crosses a GGI interface.
• When CFX Transient:Load missing variables from nearest FULL time step is cleared, it makes all variables
that are not written to the partial results file undefined for the current timestep. When selected, CFD-Post
loads the missing variables from the nearest full results file. This option is used when partial transient results
files do not contain all of the variables calculated by the CFX-Solver. By default, these variables will be un-
defined (but still visible in the variables list) for the current timestep.
Important
Take care when using this option because values that are plotted may not apply to the
current timestep.
• Select CFX Turbo:Don’t prompt to auto-load reports to prevent CFD-Post from automatically asking you
if you want to load a report upon loading results files.
• Select CFX:Don't load mesh regions if you do not want to have region definitions loaded when you load
a file that contains them.
• Clear Files other than CFX:Pre-calculate global variable ranges to turn off the calculation of all variable
ranges.
• Files other than CFX:Translate variable names to CFX-Solver style names converts variable names from
other results files into CFX variable names. (For example, the variable P in a CFX-TASCflow file will be con-
verted to Pressure.)
Important
– By default, CFD-Post will not modify the variable names in the .rso file. If you want to use all
of the embedded CFD-Post macros and calculation options, you will need to convert variable
names to CFX types.
– In order to use the Turbo Charts feature with Fluent files, you must have Translate variable
names to CFX-Solver style names selected.
The complete list of translated variables is given in Variable Translation (p. 120).
• Fluent:Load interior face zones controls whether or not interior face zones are displayed.
Fluent cases contain cell zones and face zones. (Cell zones are similar to element sets in CFD-Post,
and face zones are similar to face sets.) All cell zones are read into CFD-Post and are listed as domains.
Of the face zones, by default only those that bound a cell-zone/domain are shown in CFD-Post1.
However, Fluent meshes can also contain 'interior' face zones that are useful for postprocessing. In-
terior face zones are inside a domain and do not form a boundary of the domain. To see interior face
zones, enable Load interior face zones.
Note
The names of 'interior' zones in CFD-Post are kept same as that in Fluent, except that
characters that are not allowed in CFD-Post (such as '-', ':' and so on) are replaced by space
characters.
• Fluent: Show warning for incompatible variables in old files controls whether a message box will appear
if the Fluent .dat file you are loading contains incompatible variables. These variables, when written by
versions of Fluent earlier than 18.0 may show differences when displayed in CFD-Post when compared to
Fluent. For details, see Exporting to ANSYS CFD-Post.
9.2.1.5. CFD-Post Solution Units

CFD-Post has a Solution Units option that is available from the Options tab.
The solution units assumed, which are read when the file was loaded, are displayed on the right. When
files that do not store solution units (such as CFX-4 dump files, CFX-TASC files, Fluent files, or ANSYS
results files) are loaded, you will be prompted to specify the solution units. You can enable the Don't
prompt for Solution Units before loading results toggle to suppress this prompt, in which case the
default units of kilograms, meters, seconds, Kelvin, and radians will be used.
The units shown on this dialog box are not necessarily those used by CFD-Post, but are the solution
units used in the currently loaded file. The units used by CFD-Post are set elsewhere; for details, see
Setting the Display Units (p. 142). CFD-Post needs to know the solution units used in the file so that it
can convert them to the units specified. When CFX files are loaded into CFD-Post, the solution units
that were used by the CFX-Solver are automatically read from the file. For this reason, Don’t prompt
for Solution Units before loading results is ignored when loading CFX files and selected by default
for other file types.
1
CFD-Post will never list:
– Default interior zones.
– Walls created during creation of non-conformal interfaces.
– Sliding interface zones.
– Any other zones that cannot be displayed from the Mesh Display panel in Fluent.
When postprocessing a results file in CFD-Post, the units used are not necessarily those used in the
results file. CFD-Post will convert to your preferred units.
Note
In CFD-Post, the temperature solution units must be an absolute scale (for example, Kelvin
[K] or Rankine [R]); you cannot use Celsius and Fahrenheit. Temperature quantities elsewhere
in ANSYS CFX can be set in Celsius and Fahrenheit.
9.2.1.6. Turbo
These settings are related to turbomachinery simulations loaded into CFD-Post, and are mostly self-ex-
planatory.
9.2.1.7. Viewer
To configure the viewer, right-click the viewer and select Viewer Options.
9.2.1.7.1. Object Highlighting

Controls how an object that is generated after a change to the setting of this option is highlighted in
the viewer. Such highlighting occurs when in picking mode, when selecting a region in a list, or when
selecting items in the tree view.
Under Type, select one of the following:
• Surface Mesh: Displays the surface mesh for selected regions using lines.
• Wireframe: Traces objects that contain surfaces with green lines.
• Bounding Box: Highlights the selected objects with a green box.
Note
When you load a state file, the highlighting is dictated by the setting that is stored in the
case, rather than by the current preferences setting.
9.2.1.7.2. Background
Set Mode to Color or Image.
9.2.1.7.2.1. Color
Use Color Type to set either a solid color or a gradient of colors; use Color to set the color (and Color
2 for gradients).
9.2.1.7.2.2. Image
Select one of a list of predefined images or a custom image.
If selecting a custom image, choose an image file and a type of mapping. Image types that are supported
include *.bmp (24-bit BMP only), *.jpg, *.png, and *.ppm. Mapping options are Flat and
Spherical. Flat maps are stationary while spherical maps surround the virtual environment and rotate
with the objects in the viewer.
Custom images have some restrictions: all background images and textures sent to the viewer must be
square and must have dimensions that are powers of 2 (for example, 512 x 512 or 1024 x 1024).
If the dimensions of your background image is not a power of 2, the viewer sizes the image to be a
power of 2 by doing bicubic resampling.
To make the background image square, transparent pixels are added to the smaller dimension to make
it the same as the larger dimension. The transparent pixels enable you to see the regular viewer back-
ground, which gives you control over what fill color your background has.
9.2.1.7.3. Other Viewer Options

9.2.1.7.3.1. Text/Edge Color
Select a color by clicking in the box, or clicking the Ellipsis icon.
9.2.1.7.3.2. Axis/Ruler Visibility
Select or clear Axis Visibility or Ruler Visibility to show or hide the axis indicator or ruler in the
viewer.
9.2.1.7.3.3. Hide ANSYS Logo
Controls whether or not the ANSYS logo appears in the 3D Viewer.
9.2.1.7.4. Stereo
See Stereo Viewer (p. 86).
9.2.1.8. Advanced
Under Cmd Timeout, specify the minimum time between registered mouse clicks, in milliseconds.
9.2.1.9. ANSYS Import: Read 3D elements when CDB file has both 2D and 3D types
Enable this setting to ensure that 3D elements are read when a CDB file being imported has both 2D
and 3D elements.
9.2.2. Common Options

Auto Save
Select the time between automatic saves.
To turn off automatic saves, set Auto Save to Never.
Note
This option affects more than one CFX product.
Temporary directory
To set a temporary directory, click Browse to find a convenient directory where the autosave feature
will save state files.
9.2.2.1. Appearance
The appearance of the user interface can be controlled from the Appearance options. The default user
interface style will be set to that of your machine. For example, on Windows, the user interface has a
Windows look to it. If, for example, a Motif appearance to the user interface is preferred, select to use
this instead of the Windows style.
1. Under GUI Style, select the user interface style to use.
2. For Font and Formatted Font, specify the fonts to use in the application.
Note
It is important not to set the font size too high (over 24 pt. is not recommended) or the
dialog boxes may become difficult to read. Setting the font size too small may cause
some portions of the text to not be visible on monitors set at low resolutions. It is also
important not to set the font to a family such as Webdings, Wingdings, Symbols, or
similar type faces, or the dialog boxes become illegible.
Formatted Font has no function in CFD-Post.
9.2.2.2. Viewer Setup

1. Select Double Buffering to use two color buffers for improved visualization.
Double Buffering is a feature supported by most OpenGL implementations. It provides two complete
color buffers that swap between each other to animate graphics smoothly. If your implementation
of OpenGL does not support double buffering, you can clear this check box.
2. Select or clear Unlimited Zoom.
By default, zoom is restricted to prevent graphics problems related to depth sorting. Selecting
Unlimited Zoom allows an unrestricted zoom.
9.2.2.2.1. Mouse Mapping

The mouse-mapping options enable you to assign viewer actions to mouse clicks and keyboard/mouse
combinations. These options are available when running in stand-alone mode. To adjust or view the
mouse mapping options, select Edit > Options, then Common > Viewer Setup > Mouse Mapping.
For details, see Mouse Button Mapping.
9.2.2.3. Setting the Display Units

The settings on the Edit > Options > Common > Units dialog box control the preferred units of the
CFX application. Preferred units are the units of the data that CFD-Post uses when information is displayed
to you and are the default units when you enter information (as contrasted with units of the data that
are stored in results files). For example, if your preferred units are SI and you load a results file that
contains data in British Technical units, the values you see in CFD-Post will be in SI.
To set your preferred units:
1. Under System, select the unit system to use. Unit systems are sets of quantity types for mass, length,
time, and so on.
The options under System include SI, CGS, English Engineering, British Technical,
US Customary, US Engineering, or Custom. Only Custom enables you to redefine a
quantity type (for example, to use inches for the dimensions in a file that otherwise used SI units).
The most common quantity types appear in the main Options dialog box; to see all quantity types,
click More Units.
2. Select or clear Always convert units to Preferred Units.
If Always convert units to Preferred Units is selected, the units of entered quantities are imme-
diately converted to those set in this dialog box.
For example, if you have set Velocity to [m s^-1] in this dialog box to make that the preferred
velocity unit, and elsewhere you enter 20 [mile hr^-1] for a velocity quantity, the entered
value is immediately converted and displayed as 8.94078 [m s^-1].
The two sets of units are:
• The units presented on this dialog box, which control the default units presented in the user interface, as
well as the units used for mesh transformation.
• The solution units; for details, see CFD-Post Solution Units (p. 139).
Chapter 10: CFD-Post Session Menu
Session files contain a record of the commands issued during a CFD-Post session. The actions that cause
commands to be written to a session file include:
• Viewer manipulation performed using the commands available by right-clicking in the viewer window.
• All actions available from the File and Edit menus.
• Creation of expressions.
• Creation of new objects and changes to an object committed by clicking OK or Apply on any of the panels
available from the Tools and Insert menus/toolbars.
• Commands issued in the Tools > Command Editor dialog box.

10.1. New Session Command
10.2. Start Recording and Stop Recording Commands
10.3. Play Session Command
10.1. New Session Command

When a session file is not currently being recorded, you can select Session > New Session. This opens
the Set Session File dialog box where you can enter a filename for your session file. Once you have
saved the file, it becomes the current session file. Commands are not written to the file until you select
Session > Start Recording.
1. Browse to the directory in which you want to create the session file, and then enter a name for the file
ending with a .cse (CFD-Post) extension.
2. Click Save to create the file.
This will not start recording to the session file. To start recording, you must select Session > Start
Recording.
If you create more than one session file during a CFD-Post session, the most recently created file is the
current session file by default. You can set a different file to be the current session file by selecting an
existing file from the New Session > Set Session File window and then clicking Save. Because the file
exists, a warning dialog box appears:
• If you select Overwrite, the existing session file is deleted and a new file is created in its place.
• If you select Append, commands will be added to the end of the existing session file when recording begins.
CFD-Post Session Menu
10.2. Start Recording and Stop Recording Commands

The Start Recording action writes into the current session file the CCL commands you issue. A session
file must first be set before you can start recording (see New Session Command (p. 145)). Stop Recording
terminates writing of CCL commands to the current session file. You can start and stop recording to a
session file as many times as necessary.
Important
A session file cannot be played if it contains an Undo command. To run a session file that
contains an Undo command, first edit the session file to remove the command.
10.3. Play Session Command

Selecting Session > Play Session opens the Play Session File dialog box in which you can select the
session file to play. The commands listed in the selected session file are then executed.
Important
Existing objects with the same name as objects defined in the session file are replaced by
those in the session file (for example, if Plane 1 exists in this CFD-Post session file, playing
the session file will overwrite any existing object with the name Plane 1).
To play a session file:
1. From the menu bar, select Session > Play Session.
2. In the Play Session File dialog box, browse to the directory containing the session file and select the file
you want to play.
3. Click Open to play the session file. The commands listed in the selected session file are executed. Existing
objects with the same name as objects defined in the session file are replaced by those in the session file.
Note
You can play session files in stand-alone CFD-Post, but not in CFD-Post in ANSYS Workbench.
Chapter 11: CFD-Post Insert Menu
The Insert menu in CFD-Post is used to create new objects (such as locators, tables, charts, and so on),
variables, and expressions.
A locator is a place or object that another object uses to plot or calculate values. For example, if you
were to select a plane from which to start a streamline, the plane would be a locator.
Interpolation in CFD-Post
For both plots and quantitative evaluation, iso clip and user surface locators interpolate values
using general (tri-liner) interpolation from mesh nodes to surface nodes. Planes and isosurfaces
use more accurate "edge interpolation" for plots and, in Fluent cases, element-to-face inter-
polation for quantitative evaluation (such as area averages). Similarly, boundaries directly
map to mesh nodes or faces. Consequently, quantitative operations on a user surface or on
an iso clip that is based on a mesh density location (slice plane, isosurface, or boundary), are
not going to evaluate to precisely the same number as the underlying mesh density location.
Locator Object Limitation
For Transient Blade Row cases, transient statistics for boundary-only variables (such as Force,
Mass Flow, Heat Flux) are not available on the following postprocessing locators (points,
lines, cut-planes, isosurfaces, and iso clips).

11.1. Location Submenu
11.2. Vector Command
11.3. Contour Command
11.4. Streamline Command
11.5. Particle Track Command
11.6. Volume Rendering Command
11.7.Text Command
11.8. Coordinate Frame Command
11.9. Legend Command
11.10. Instance Transform Command
11.11. Clip Plane Command
11.12. Color Map Command
11.13. Variable Command
11.14. Expression Command
11.15.Table Command
11.16. Chart Command
11.17. Comment Command
11.18. Figure Command
CFD-Post Insert Menu
11.1. Location Submenu

When you select any of the objects from the Insert > Location submenu, an Insert Object dialog
box appears in which you can either accept the default name for the new object or enter a new one.
CFD-Post will not enable you to create objects that have duplicate names.
Click OK on the dialog box to open the relevant details view in the Outline workspace. A new object
will be created in the database when you click Apply in the details view of the location object.
Tip
You can also access locator objects from the Location icon on the toolbar.
The following topics will be discussed in this section:
• Point Command (p. 148)
• Point Cloud Command (p. 151)
• Line Command (p. 154)
• Plane Command (p. 156)
• Volume Command (p. 160)
• Isosurface Command (p. 164)
• Iso Clip Command (p. 166)
• Vortex Core Region (p. 168)
• Surface of Revolution Command (p. 174)
• Polyline Command (p. 177)
• User Surface Command (p. 180)
• Surface Group Command (p. 184)
• Turbo Surface Command (p. 185)
• Turbo Line Command (p. 186)
11.1.1. Point Command

A point is an object in 3D space that has a set of coordinates. You can use a point to locate the position
of a variable minimum or maximum or as an object with which other objects can interact.
The following characteristics of points will be discussed:
• Point: Geometry (p. 149)
• Point: Color (p. 151)
Location Submenu
• Point: Symbol (p. 151)
• Point: Render (p. 151)
• Point: View (p. 151)
Note
There are several ways to insert a point:
• From the menu bar, select Insert > Location > Point.
• From the toolbar, select Location > Point.
• Depending on the context, you may be able to perform an insert from the shortcut menu in the
tree view or in the 3D Viewer.
11.1.1.1. Point: Geometry

11.1.1.1.1. Domains
The Domains setting selects the domains in which the point will exist.
Note
For a case with immersed solids, the setting All Domains refers to all domains except the
immersed solids. To display all of the domains in a case that contains immersed solids, click
the Location Editor icon and hold down the Ctrl key while selecting All Domains and
All Immersed Solids.
Variables used for plots or calculations on immersed solid domain boundaries are not taken
from the immersed solid domain; instead, they are interpolated from the fluid/porous domain
in which the solid is immersed. The accuracy of such interpolation is dependent on the mesh
densities of both the fluid/porous domain and the surface of the immersed solid domain.
To visualize, or perform computations with, variables that are associated with the immersed
solid domain, use slice planes, user surfaces, or other locators that are offset into the immersed
solid domain, and set the applicable Domains setting to refer to the immersed solid domain.
11.1.1.1.2. Definition
11.1.1.1.2.1. Method
The Method setting has the following options:
Option Description
XYZ Enables you to set a coordinate in 3D space for the
Point.
Node Number Enables you to select a node to which to attach the
Point.
Option Description
Variable Places the Point at the selected variable’s lowest value.
Minimum
Select whether the object you want to plot will be
based on hybrid or conservative values. For details,
Variable Places the Point at the selected variable’s greatest
Maximum value.
Select whether the object you want to plot will be

based on hybrid or conservative values. For details,
Note
You can move only points that have been specified with the XYZ option.
When using Variable Minimum or Variable Maximum option on a point in multi-file or

comparison mode, the point is placed at the location of the overall minimum/maximum. If
you want to place the point at the minimum/maximum value for the individual cases, select
the appropriate case in the point's Domain List selector.
11.1.1.1.2.2. Point
Point is available only if the XYZ option is selected. The Point setting specifies the Cartesian coordinates
for the Point object. Once the point is created, you can use the mouse pointer to drag the point around
in the domain. For details, see Picking Mode (p. 82).
11.1.1.1.2.3. Node Number
Node Number is available only if the Node Number Method is selected. The Node Number setting
specifies at which node to place the Point object. When more than one domain is selected, a point is
created for the specified node number in each domain (if it exists). If the node number does not exist
in one domain but exists in another, you should select only the domain in which the node exists or an
error message will be displayed.
11.1.1.1.2.4. Location
Location is available only if the Variable Minimum or the Variable Maximum options are selected.
The Location setting specifies an object for the Point to be located in. When more than one domain
is selected, a point is created for the minimum or maximum value of the variable within each domain.
11.1.1.1.2.5. Variable
Variable is available only if the Variable Minimum or the Variable Maximum options are selected.
The Variable setting selects the variable to be used to find the maximum or minimum point.
11.1.1.1.3. Nearest Node Value

Nearest Node appears when any option except the Node Number option is selected. The Nearest
Node text displays the numerical value of the nearest node to the point's current position.
Location Submenu
11.1.1.2. Point: Color

The Color tab controls the color settings. For details, see Color Tab (p. 19).
11.1.1.3. Point: Symbol

11.1.1.3.1. Symbol
The Symbol setting has the following options:
Symbol Description
Crosshair A 3D “+” sign.
Octahedron A 3D diamond that has eight faces.
Cube A box.
Ball A sphere.
11.1.1.3.2. Symbol Size

The Symbol Size setting specifies the size of the Point symbol. Each Symbol Size unit represents 5%
of the domain span. The domain span, which is dependent on the geometry, is equal to the largest
difference from the X, Y, and Z ranges.
11.1.1.4. Point: Render

The rendering settings can be changed by clicking the Render tab. For details, see Render Tab (p. 22).
11.1.1.5. Point: View

11.1.2. Point Cloud Command

To create multiple points, select Insert > Location > Point Cloud. You can create uniform vector plots
independent of the mesh by using the Point Cloud object. You can also create streamlines that use a
Point Cloud as the locator.
The following characteristics of point clouds will be discussed:
• Point Cloud: Geometry (p. 152)
• Point Cloud: Color (p. 154)
• Point Cloud: Symbol (p. 154)
• Point Cloud: Render (p. 154)
• Point Cloud: View (p. 154)
Note
There are two ways to insert a point cloud:
• From the menu bar, select Insert > Location > Point Cloud.
• From the toolbar, select Location > Point Cloud.
11.1.2.1. Point Cloud: Geometry

11.1.2.1.1. Domains
For details, see Domains (p. 149).
11.1.2.1.2.1. Locations
The Locations setting selects the location or locations in which the point cloud is created.
Tip
Click Location Editor to open the Location Selector dialog box, which displays the
complete list of available locations.
11.1.2.1.2.2. Sampling
The Sampling setting has the following options:
Option Description
Equally Generates points with roughly the same distance
Spaced between them.
Rectangular Generates a rectangular grid of points on the surface.
Grid This option should be used only on flat surfaces.
Vertex Generates the points on the vertices of the mesh. The
maximum number of points is the total number of
vertices in the mesh.
Face Center Generates the points at the center of the mesh faces.
The maximum number of points is the total number
of faces in the mesh.
Free Edge Generates the points on the outer edge at the center
of the edge segments.
Random Generates the points randomly. If the seed is positive,
the point distribution can be reproduced.
Location Submenu
11.1.2.1.2.3. # of Points
# of Points is available only when either the Equally Spaced or Random option is selected. The #
of Points setting specifies the number of equally spaced points you want generated on the surface of
the mesh.
For the Equally Spaced option, the actual number of points generated is guided by the provided
# of Points but may not be exactly equal to this.
11.1.2.1.2.4. Spacing
Spacing is available only when the Rectangular Grid option is selected. The Spacing setting
specifies a value that represents a fraction of the maximum domain extent. For example, if your domain
has a maximum extent of 1 [m] and a Spacing of 0.1 was used, a rectangular grid with 0.1 [m]
spacing would be created.
11.1.2.1.2.5. Aspect Ratio
Aspect Ratio is available only when the Rectangular Grid option is selected. The Aspect Ratio
setting stretches the rectangle in a direction parallel to the grid axes. If a value less than one is entered,
the grid will be stretched in one direction. If a value greater than one is entered, the grid will be stretched
in the direction perpendicular to the previous direction.
11.1.2.1.2.6. Grid Angle
Grid Angle is available only when the Rectangular Grid option is selected. The Grid Angle setting
specifies the magnitude and direction of grid rotation.
11.1.2.1.2.7. Reduction
Reduction is available only when the Vertex, Face Center, or Free Edge options are selected.
The Reduction setting has the following options:
Option Description
Max Number Enables the option to specify the maximum number
of Points of points allowed to be plotted.
Reduction Enables the option to specify a reduction factor from the
Factor full number of points.
11.1.2.1.2.8. Max Points
Max Points is available only if the Max Number of Points option is selected. The Max Points
setting specifies a value for the maximum number of points allowed. If the maximum number of vertices
is greater than that of the specified value, then the points taken will be randomly selected.
11.1.2.1.2.9. Factor
Factor is available only if the Reduction Factor option is selected. The Factor setting specifies a
value by which to decrease the total number of points in the Point Cloud object. The final number of
vectors is total/n, where total is the total number of seeds, and n is the reduction value entered into
the box.
11.1.2.1.2.10. Seed
Seed is available only if the Random option is selected. The Seed setting generates a different set of
random points for each value entered. The distribution cannot be replicated or reproduced for negative
seed values. For negative seed values, the random series is based on the system time. Different compilers
may generate different distributions for the same positive seed value.
Note
Similar sampling options are also available directly on Vector and Streamline objects.
11.1.2.2. Point Cloud: Color

The color settings can be changed on the Color tab. For details, see Color Tab (p. 19).
11.1.2.3. Point Cloud: Symbol

For details, see Point: Symbol (p. 151).
11.1.2.4. Point Cloud: Render

11.1.2.5. Point Cloud: View

11.1.3. Line Command

A line locator can exist between two points anywhere inside or outside the domain.
The following characteristics of lines will be discussed:
• Line: Geometry (p. 155)
• Line: Color (p. 156)
• Line: Render (p. 156)
• Line: View (p. 156)
Note
There are several ways to insert a line:
• From the menu bar, select Insert > Location > Line.
• From the toolbar, select Location > Line.
tree view.
Location Submenu
11.1.3.1. Line: Geometry

11.1.3.1.1. Domains
11.1.3.1.2.1. Method
The only available option is the Two Points option.
11.1.3.1.2.2. Point 1
The Point 1 fields specify the start point of the line.
11.1.3.1.2.3. Point 2
The Point 2 fields specify the end point of the line.
11.1.3.1.3. Line Type

11.1.3.1.3.1. Cut/Sample Options
Selecting Cut will extend the line in both directions until it reaches the edge of the domain. Points on
this line exist where the line intersects with a mesh element face.
Tip
In cases with very thin elements near a boundary, a cut line normal to the boundary may
stop too early and not quite reach the boundary. To correct this, you can set the environment
variable CFX_CUT_LINE_TOLERANCE before starting CFD-Post. For example:
CFDPOST_CUT_LINE_TOLERANCE='1.0e-8 [m]'
The smaller the number, the more likely it is that the line will reach the boundary. However,
if it is too small, the line could end up with a number of coincident (repeated) points.
Selecting Sample creates a line existing between the two points entered. It is mesh-independent, and
the number of points along the line corresponds to the value you enter in the Samples box.
11.1.3.1.3.2. Samples
Samples is available only if the Sample option is selected. The Samples setting specifies a value for
the number of evenly-spaced sampling points along the line.
11.1.3.1.4. Line Translation Using Picking Mode

You can use picking mode to select or translate a line in the viewer. To move a line, select picking mode
by clicking Single Select in the Selection Tools toolbar and drag the line to a new location. The line
properties will automatically update in the details view. For details, see Picking Mode (p. 82).
11.1.3.2. Line: Color

The color settings can be changed by clicking the Color tab. For details, see Color Tab (p. 19).
11.1.3.3. Line: Render

You can change the Line Width by entering a value corresponding to the pixel width of the line. You
can specify the value between 1 and 11 by using the graduated arrows, the embedded slider, or by
typing in the value.
11.1.3.4. Line: View

11.1.4. Plane Command

A plane is a two-dimensional area that exists only within the boundaries of the computational domain.
The following characteristics of planes will be discussed:
• Plane: Geometry (p. 156)
• Plane: Color (p. 159)
• Plane: Render (p. 160)
• Plane: View (p. 160)
Note
There are several ways to insert a plane:
• From the menu bar, select Insert > Location > Plane.
• From the toolbar, select Location > Plane.
11.1.4.1. Plane: Geometry

11.1.4.1.1. Domains
11.1.4.1.2.1. Method
Location Submenu
Option Description
YZ Plane Defines a plane normal to the X axis.
ZX Plane Defines a plane normal to the Y axis.
XY Plane Defines a plane normal to the Z axis.
Point and Enables you to specify a point on the plane and a
Normal normal vector to the plane.
Three Enables you to define a plane by providing three points
Points that lie in the plane.
11.1.4.1.2.2. X
X is available only if the YZ Plane option is selected. The X setting specifies an offset value from the
X axis.
11.1.4.1.2.3. Y
Y is available only if the ZX Plane option is selected. The Y setting specifies an offset value from the
Y axis.
11.1.4.1.2.4. Z
Z is available only if the XY Plane option is selected. The Z setting specifies an offset value from the
Z axis.
11.1.4.1.2.5. Point
Point is available only if the Point and Normal option is selected. The Point setting specifies the
3D coordinates of the point that lies on the plane.
11.1.4.1.2.6. Normal
Normal is available only if the Point and Normal option is selected. The plane normal is calculated
as a vector from the origin to the specified coordinates.
11.1.4.1.2.7. Point 1, Point 2, and Point 3
These options are only available if the Three Points option is selected. The Point 1, Point 2, and
Point 3 settings specify three points that lie on the plane.
The normal vector to the plane is calculated using the right-hand rule. The first vector is from Point 1
to Point 2, and the second is from Point 1 to Point 3, as shown in the following diagram. For example,
the direction of this vector might be important if you are using the plane to define a Clip Plane.
11.1.4.1.3. Plane Bounds

11.1.4.1.3.1. Type
Option Description
None Cuts through a complete cross-section of each domain
specified in the Domains list. A slice plane is bounded
only by the limits of the domain. The Plane Type must
be set to Slice for this option (default).
Circular Causes the boundary of the plane to be in the shape
of a circle. The circle is centered at the origin for the
YZ, ZX, and XY Planes. For the other two methods, the
circle is centered at the first point entered in the
Definition frame.
Rectangular Causes the boundary of the plane to be a rectangular
shape. The rectangle is centered at the origin for the
YZ, ZX, and XY Planes. For the other two methods, the
rectangle is centered at the first point entered in the
Definition frame.
11.1.4.1.3.2. Radius
Radius is available only if the Circular option is selected. The Radius setting specifies a radius for
the circular boundary. You can enter a value or select the Expression icon to the right of the Radius
setting to specify the radius as an expression.
11.1.4.1.3.3. X/Y/Z Size
These settings are available only if the Rectangular option is selected. Two of these options will be
displayed because a plane is a 2D object. These settings will specify a width and height for the rectan-
gular boundary. The size of the rectangle is determined with reference to the planes origin (that is, the
plane is resized around its center).
Location Submenu
11.1.4.1.3.4. X/Y/Z Angle
This setting is available only if the Rectangular option is selected. Only one of these settings is dis-
played at once. This setting specifies an angle to rotate the plane counterclockwise about its normal
vector by the specified number of degrees.
11.1.4.1.3.5. Invert Plane Bound Check Box
Invert Plane Bound is available only if the Circular or the Rectangular option is selected. If this
check box is selected, the area defined by the rectangle or circle is used as a cut-out area from a slice
plane that is bounded only by the domains. The area inside the bounds of the rectangle or circle do
not form part of the plane, but everything on the slice plane outside of these bounds is included.
11.1.4.1.4. Plane Type

11.1.4.1.4.1. Slice Option
Select the Slice option to cut the plane so that it lies only inside the domain.
A slice plane differs from a sampling plane. A sampling plane is a set of evenly-spaced sampling points
that are independent of the mesh. When you create a slice plane, the sampling points are placed at
locations where the slice plane intersects an edge of the mesh, causing an uneven distribution of the
sampling points. The density of these sampling points in a slice plane is related to the length scale of
the mesh.
When you use the slice plane for Vector plots, the seeds are the points where the plane intersects a
point on the edge of three mesh elements. You can view the seeds by turning on the Show Mesh Lines
option on the Render tab for the plane.
11.1.4.1.4.2. Sample Option
Select the Sample option to specify the amount of seeds in the plane.
When creating a sampling plane, the Plane Bounds must be either Circular or Rectangular. For
the Circular option, the density of sampling points is determined by the radius of the plane specified
in the Plane Bounds tab and the number of radial and circumferential sampling points. For Rectan
gular bounds, you must specify the size of the bounds for your plane in each of the plane directions.
The density of sampling points depends on the size of the plane and the number of samples in each
of the two coordinate directions that describe the plane.
Certain types of plots will show small differences across GGI interfaces. This is to be expected when the
nodes of the computational grids on each side of a GGI connection do not match. For example, contour
lines or fringe lines may not match exactly across a GGI interface. This is a very minor effect and is not
an indicator of any problem.
11.1.4.1.5. Plane Translation using Picking Mode

For details, see Line Translation Using Picking Mode (p. 155).
11.1.4.2. Plane: Color

11.1.4.3. Plane: Render

11.1.4.4. Plane: View

11.1.5. Volume Command

A Volume is a collection of mesh elements that can be used as a locator for graphic objects or calcula-
tions. Volumes will not be displayed as perfect shapes (for example, a perfect sphere) because mesh
elements are either included in or excluded from the Volume object.
The following characteristics of volumes will be discussed:
• Volume: Geometry (p. 160)
• Volume: Color (p. 164)
• Volume: Render (p. 164)
• Volume: View (p. 164)
Note
There are several ways to insert a volume:
• From the menu bar, select Insert > Location > Volume.
• From the toolbar, select Location > Volume.
11.1.5.1. Volume: Geometry

11.1.5.1.1. Domains
11.1.5.1.2. Element Types

The Element Types setting has the following options:
Option Description
Tet Displays volume that is connected to a tetrahedral mesh.
Pyramid Displays volume that is connected to a pyramid-shaped
mesh.
Location Submenu
Option Description
Wedge Displays volume that is connected to a wedge-shaped mesh.
Hex Displays volume that is connected to a hexagonal mesh.
11.1.5.1.3.1. Method
Option Description
Sphere Creates a sphere-shaped volume. Enables you to
specify a center point and radius for the sphere
volume.
From Sur Creates a volume on a surface. Enables you to select
face a surface from the Location setting. Some surface
types may not be available.
Isovolume Creates a volume at a specified variables value. Enables
you to specify a variable and one or two values
(depending on the Mode) to create one or two
isosurfaces that bound the isovolume.
Surrounding Creates a volume at a node. Enables you to specify a
Node node by number.
11.1.5.1.3.2. Point
Point is available only if the Sphere option is selected. The Point setting specifies a center point for
the sphere volume. The point can be anywhere in 3D space.
11.1.5.1.3.3. Radius
Radius is available only if the Sphere option is selected. The Sphere setting specifies a radius for the
sphere volume.
11.1.5.1.3.4. Location
Location is available only if the From Surface option is selected. The Location setting selects from
a list of valid locations for the volume to exist on.
11.1.5.1.3.5. Variable
Variable is available only if the Isovolume option is selected. The Variable setting selects a variable
to plot the volume on. A Value for the variable must be selected before the volume can be defined.
11.1.5.1.3.6. Hybrid/Conservative Options
These options are available only if the Isovolume option is selected. For help on which field to select,
11.1.5.1.3.7. Mode (for the Sphere and From Surface options)
The Mode setting has the following options:
Option Description
Intersec Creates a volume at the specified radius for the
tion Sphere option. For the From Surface option, the
volume is created on the surface of the object.
Below Inter Creates a volume for all of the radii less than the
section specified radius for the Sphere option. For the From
Surface option, the volume is plotted for all values
less than the given value on the location object.
Above Inter Opposite to the Below Intersection option.
section
11.1.5.1.3.8. Mode (for the Isovolume option)
Option Description
At Value Creates a volume for all the mesh elements in the domain
equal to the entered value.
Below Value Creates a volume for all the mesh elements in the domain
above the entered value.
Above Value Creates a volume for all the mesh elements in the domain
less than the entered value.
Between Creates a volume for all the mesh elements in the domain
Value in between the two entered values.
11.1.5.1.3.9. Value Fields
The Value fields are available only if the Isovolume option is selected. The Value fields specify values
to compare to using the Mode options. For example, if Value is set to 2 and Mode is set to At Value,
the Volume will plot where the variable is equal to 2.
11.1.5.1.4. Inclusive Check Box

Select the Inclusive check box to add the entered values to an above or below comparison Mode. For
example, if the Inclusive check box is selected with the Below Intersection option, the volume
will include the radius entered or surface selected.
11.1.5.1.5. How CFD-Post Calculates Isovolumes

In order to see the affects of the Inclusive check box on the Minimum Face Angle variable set to the
Below Value mode, do the following:
1. Open a results file.
2. Create a volume, accepting the default name.
3. Set Variable to Minimum Face Angle, Mode to Below Value, and then click Apply. Few volumes appear.
Location Submenu
4. Now enable Inclusive and click Apply again. Many more volumes appear.
The differences you see are caused by how CFD-Post calculates values for a given point on a mesh
(Mode is set to At Value):
...as compared to Mode being set to Below Value
...and as compared to Mode being set to Below Value with Inclusive being selected:
11.1.5.2. Volume: Color

11.1.5.3. Volume: Render

11.1.5.4. Volume: View

11.1.6. Isosurface Command

An isosurface is a surface upon which a particular variable has a constant value, called the level. For in-
stance, an Isosurface of pressure would be a surface consisting of all the points in the geometry where
the pressure took a value of 1.32e+05 Pa. In CFD-Post, isosurfaces can be defined using any variable.
You can also color the isosurface using any variable or choosing a constant color.
The following characteristics of isosurfaces will be discussed:
• Isosurface: Geometry (p. 165)
• Isosurface: Color (p. 166)
• Isosurface: Render (p. 166)
• Isosurface: View (p. 166)
Note
There are several ways to insert an isosurface:
Location Submenu
• From the menu bar, select Insert > Location > Isosurface.
• From the toolbar, select Location > Isosurface.
tree view.
Note
When you are creating an isosurface using a variable that is fundamentally discontinuous
within a domain, some unexpected portions of the isosurface may appear near the discon-
tinuity. A common example is a variable Theta that is discontinuous at 0° in a full 360° domain.
In such a case, creating an isosurface for any value of Theta will result in two basic parts: the
expected part of the isosurface that was defined by the Theta value that was selected; a
spurious part that appears along the border between nodes with Theta values near 0° and
nodes with Theta values near 360°. The spurious part should be ignored.
Note
When you are creating an isosurface (or another object such as a contour plot or a chart),
and the range of the specified variable is discontinuous at any point in its domain, the res-
ulting range may be different from what you expect it to be. For example, consider a case
with a cylindrical domain in which you would expect the Theta value to have a minimum
value of 0° and a maximum value of 360°. In reality, the range will depend on the vertices
of the mesh and the Theta values of the vertices. For example, an extremely coarse mesh
with only 10 equidistant nodes on the circumference with Theta values of 0°, 36°, 72°, 108°,
144°, 180°, 216°, 252°, 288° 324°, and 0°, will result in a range of 0° to 324° for Theta. If the
nodes appear on Theta values of, for example, 10°, 46°, 82°, 118°, 154°, 190°, 226°, 298°, 334°,
and 10°, then the range for Theta will be from 10° to 334°. Therefore, the exact range of
Theta will be dependent on the mesh. Refining the mesh will cause the actual range to be
more similar to the expected range.
11.1.6.1. Isosurface: Geometry

11.1.6.1.1. Domains
11.1.6.1.2.1. Variable
The Variable setting specifies the variable that you want to plot.
Tip
Click the Location Editor to open the Variable Selector dialog box, which displays the
complete list of available options.
11.1.6.1.2.2. Hybrid/Conservative Option
For help on which field to select, see Hybrid and Conservative Variable Values.
11.1.6.1.2.3. Value
The Value setting specifies a numerical value or expression to plot for the given variable.
11.1.6.2. Isosurface: Color

You can change the color settings by clicking the Color tab; for details, see Color Tab (p. 19).
11.1.6.3. Isosurface: Render

To change the rendering settings, click the Render tab. For details, see Render Tab (p. 22).
11.1.6.4. Isosurface: View

11.1.7. Iso Clip Command

An iso clip hides the portion of one or more locators subject to one or more constraints (visibility
parameters) that you specify.
There are several ways to insert an iso clip:
• From the menu bar, select Insert > Location > Iso Clip.
• From the toolbar, select Location > Iso Clip.
• Depending on the context, you may be able to perform an insert from the shortcut menu in the tree view.
Iso clips have the following restrictions:
• Iso clip locators interpolate values using a method that is slightly less accurate than that used for slice planes
and isosurfaces. For details, see Interpolation in CFD-Post (p. 147).
• Iso clips cannot clip volumes.
• Iso clips cannot have mix of faces and lines.
• Setting Visible when [value] to = always results in lines, never faces.
• Setting Visible when [value] to both >= and <= produces only faces, no lines (due to restriction 3), yet
clipped lines may mix with mesh lines if the latter are shown.
The following characteristics of iso clips will be discussed:
• Iso Clip: Geometry (p. 167)
• Iso Clip: Color (p. 167)
Location Submenu
• Iso Clip: Render (p. 167)
• Iso Clip: View (p. 167)
11.1.7.1. Iso Clip: Geometry

11.1.7.1.1. Domains
11.1.7.1.2. Location
Click the Location Editor icon to open the Location Editor dialog box, which displays the complete
list of available options. If you specify multiple locators, they must all have the same dimensionality (for
example, all must be planes, rather than a combination of lines and planes).
11.1.7.1.3. Visibility Parameters

The Visibility parameters area is where you set the variables that hide the values that fail to meet a
specified condition on a locator specified in the Locations field. For example, if the locator is an X-Y
plane and the visibility is restricted to Y>=0, Y<= .1, and X>=.15, only areas that have values within
those bounds will be displayed.
You create a new clip setting by clicking the New icon or by right-clicking in the Visibility para-
meters area and selecting New. These actions cause the Visibility Parameter Properties settings to
appear:
Variable
Sets the variable that controls where the iso clip regions are placed. Typically you would specify geometric
variables.
Visible when [value]

Sets the display of regions (>=, <=) or a line (=).
Boundary Data
Enables you to set the boundary data to use of hybrid or conservative variable values. For details, see Hybrid
and Conservative Variable Values.
11.1.7.2. Iso Clip: Color

You can change the color of the locator or the variable that is colored on the locator by clicking the
Color tab. For details, see Color Tab (p. 19).
11.1.7.3. Iso Clip: Render

11.1.7.4. Iso Clip: View

11.1.8. Vortex Core Region

A vortex is a circular or spiral set of streamlines; a vortex core is a special type of isosurface that displays
a vortex. The CFD-Post vortex core visualization tools are designed to help you identify and understand
vortex regions.
The following characteristics of vortex cores will be discussed:
• Vortex Core Region: Geometry (p. 168)
• Vortex Core Region: Color (p. 174)
• Vortex Core Region: Render (p. 174)
• Vortex Core Region: View (p. 174)
Note
There are several ways to insert a vortex core region:
• From the menu bar, select Insert > Location > Vortex Core Region.
• From the toolbar, select Location > Vortex Core Region.
tree view.
11.1.8.1. Vortex Core Region: Geometry

11.1.8.1.1. Domains
The Domains setting specifies the domains where the vortex core should be found. Selected domains
do not need to be contiguous.
11.1.8.1.2. Definition Area

The Definition area is where you define the type and the strength of the vortex core.
11.1.8.1.2.1. Method
The Method setting specifies sets of equations that detect vortices as spatial regions. Click the drop-
down arrow to choose a method:
Absolute Absolute value of the dot product of velocity vector and vorticity vector.
Helicity
Eigen Helicity Dot product of vorticity and the normal of swirling plane (that is, the plane spanned
by the real and imaginary parts of complex eigen-vectors of velocity gradient tensor).
Lambda The negative values of the second eigenvalue of the symmetry square of velocity
2-Criterion gradient tensor. Derived through the hessian of pressure.
Location Submenu
Q-Criterion The second invariant of the velocity gradient tensor. For a region with positive values,
it could include regions with negative discriminants and exclude region with positive
discriminants.
Real Eigen Dot product of vorticity and swirling vector that is the real eigen-vector of velocity
Helicity gradient tensor.
Swirling The discriminant of velocity gradient tensor for complex eigenvalues. The positive
Discriminant values indicate existence of swirling local flow pattern.
Swirling The imaginary part of complex eigenvalues of velocity gradient tensor. It is positive if
Strength and only if the discriminant is positive and its value represents the strength of swirling
motion around local centers.
Vorticity Curl of velocity vector.
Note
There is no recommended vortex core method; the appropriate choice of vortex core is always
case-dependent.
11.1.8.1.2.1.1. Vortex Core Mathematics
A number of methods are based on eigen analysis in local velocity gradient tensor. The following are
the related notations and equations.
For the velocity gradient tensor
(11.1)
The eigenvalues of the gradient tensor satisfies

(11.2)
where
(11.3)
(11.4)
(11.5)
Now let
(11.6)
(11.7)
Then, if the discriminant is
(11.8)
then the tensor has one real eigenvalue and a pair of conjugated complex eigenvalues
That is, the tensor can be decomposed as
(11.9)
We denote
(11.10)
and
(11.11)
Then
(11.12)
(11.13)
(11.14)
The last one is called Swirling Strength, and represents the strength of the local swirling motion. In CFD-
Post, the magnitude of both Swirling Vector and Swirling Normal is the Swirling Strength. The direction
of the Swirling Vector is that of the real eigen-vector ( in Equation 11.19 (p. 170)) and the direction of
the Swirling Normal is that of defined in Equation 11.26 (p. 171).
The following relationships are useful:

(11.15)
(11.16)
(11.17)
(11.18)
Now the real eigen-vector meets:

(11.19)
We can calculate the real eigen-vector using one of the non-zero vectors:
(11.20)
Location Submenu
(11.21)
(11.22)
The complex eigen-vectors' real and imaginary parts meet:

(11.23)
(11.24)
Therefore, if
(11.25)
then, and . That is, all rows of matrix A are normal to both and , therefore they
are all proportional to
(11.26)
So any non-zero row vector of matrix A can be used to calculate .
This is useful to get the eigen-helicity , where is the vorticity vector.
On and let and
Then and have all real eigen-values ( ).
The region with negative of is used in the method proposed by F. Hussain. By using the eigen-values
and eigen-vectors of velocity gradient tensor , we have
(11.27)
So, in the case the second eigenvalue is
Also, we can express the tensor as

(11.28)
Now when we look into the eigenvalues and vectors of , the same should apply to .
Let
(11.29)
Its eigenvalues meet
(11.30)
where
(11.31)
(11.32)
(11.33)
Then the three eigenvalues are:

(11.34)
(11.35)
(11.36)
where
(11.37)
(11.38)
(11.39)
Because is in the range of , we have . Therefore, the second eigenvalue for a 3x3
symmetry tensor is .
The eigenvector corresponding to an eigenvalue can be one of the non-zero vectors
(11.40)
(11.41)
(11.42)
11.1.8.1.2.1.2. Vortex Core References
Bibliography
[1] M. S. Chong, A. E. Perry, and B. J. Cantwell. Copyright © 1990. Phys. Fluid. A General Classification of
Three Dimensional Flow Fields. 765-777. A 2.
[2] U. Dallman, A. Hilgenstock, B. Schulte-Werning, S. Riedelbauch, and H. Vollmers. Copyright © 1991.

AGARD Conf. Proc. CP-494. On the Footprints of Three-Dimensional Separated Vortex Flows Around
Blunt Bodies.
Location Submenu
[3] R. Haimes and D. Sujudi. Copyright © 1995. Dept. of Aeronautics and Astronautics, MIT, Cambridge,
MA. Identification of Swirling Flow in 3D Vector Fields. Tech. Report.
[4] J. C. R. Hunt, A. A. Wary, and P. Moin. Copyright © 1988. NASA Ames / Stanford University in Oroc.
1988 Summer Program of the Center for Turbulent Research. Eddies, Streams, and Convergence
Zones in Turbulent Flows. 193-207.
[5] J. Jeong and F. Hussain. Copyright © 1995. Journal of Fluid Mechanics. On the Identification of a
Vortex. 69-94. 285.
[6] M. Jiang, R. Machiraju, and D. Thompson. Copyright © 2002. Eurographics – IEEE VGTC Symposium
on Visualization. A Novel Approach to Vortex Core Region Detection.
[7] S. K. Robinson, S. J. Kline, and P. R. Spalart. Copyright © 1988. In Proc. Zoran P. Zaric Memorial Inter-
national Seminar on Near Wall Turbulence. Statistical Analysis of Near-wall Structures in Turbulent
Channel Flow.
[8] M. Roth and R. Peikert. Copyright © 1998. A Higher-order Method for Finding Vortex Core Lines.
[9] J. Sahner, T. Weinkauf, and H.-C. Hege. Copyright © 2005. Eurographics – IEEE VGTC Symposium on
Visualization. Galilean Invariant Extraction and Iconic Representation of Vortex Core Lines.
[10] S. Zhang and D. Choudhury. Copyright © 2006. Phys. Fluids 18. Eigen Helicity Density: A New Vortex
Identification Scheme and its Application in Accelerated Inhomogeneous Flows.
[11] J. Zhou, R. J. Adrian, and S. Balachander. Copyright © 1996. Phys. Fluids 8. Autogeneration of Near
Wall Vertical Structure in Channel Flow. 288-291.
[12] J. Zhou. Copyright © 1997. Ph.D. thesis, Department of Theoretical and Applied Mechanics, University
of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, Illinois. Self-sustaining Formation of Packets of Hairpin
Vortices in a Turbulent Wall Layer.
[13] J. Zhou, R. J. Adrian, S. Balachander, and T. M. Kendall. Copyright © 1999. Journal of Fluid Mechanics.
Mechanisms for Generating Coherent Packets of Hairpin Vortices in Channel Flow. 353-396. 387.
11.1.8.1.2.2. Level
The Level setting controls the strength of the vortex core that is displayed. The Level setting is normal-
ized between Method types so that it is easy for you to compare the output of the different methods.
11.1.8.1.2.3. Actual Value
The Actual Value setting displays the isosurface value. This read-only value varies between methods.
11.1.8.2. Vortex Core Region: Color

To learn how to use color to show how a variable changes through a region or just to change the color
of the vortex core regions, see Color Tab (p. 19).
Note
The ranges of vortex core variables are calculated by CFD-Post and will be local to the timestep
(that is, the range will not be calculated across all timesteps).
11.1.8.3. Vortex Core Region: Render

To learn how to control the display of mesh lines, textures, and vortex core faces, see Render Tab (p. 22).
11.1.8.4. Vortex Core Region: View

11.1.9. Surface of Revolution Command

A Surface of Revolution is a surface created by revolving a polyline about an axis. The polyline may
be as simple as a single line segment or as complicated as a general curve.
The following characteristics of surfaces of revolution will be discussed:
• Surface of Revolution: Geometry (p. 174)
• Surface of Revolution: Color (p. 177)
• Surface of Revolution: Render (p. 177)
• Surface of Revolution: View (p. 177)
Note
There are several ways to insert a surface of revolution:
• From the menu bar, select Insert > Location > Surface of Revolution.
• From the toolbar, select Location > Surface of Revolution.
tree view.
11.1.9.1. Surface of Revolution: Geometry

11.1.9.1.1. Domains
Location Submenu
11.1.9.1.2.1. Method
Option Description
Cylinder Creates a cylinder using two axial and one radial coordinate
points.
Cone Creates a cone using two axial and radial coordinate points.
Disc Creates a disc using one axial and two radial coordinate
points.
Sphere Creates a cylinder using one axial and radial coordinate
points.
From Line Enables you to specify a line or polyline to revolve about
the axis (to be specified later).
11.1.9.1.2.2. Point 1 (a,r) and Point 2 (a,r)
These fields are not available for the From Line option. These fields specify axial and radial coordinates
to define the surface of revolution.
Only one set of coordinates are available for the Sphere option. The axial value offsets the sphere in
the direction of the rotational axis, and the radial value is used as the radius of the sphere.
11.1.9.1.2.3. Line
Line is available only if the From Line option is selected. The Line setting selects a valid line or
polyline to use for rotation around the axis.
Tip
Click the Location Editor icon to open the Location Selector dialog box, which displays
the complete list of available lines.
Note
Calculations of quantities (such as area) performed on a surface of revolution created using

the From Line option may be incorrect in the following situations:
• Multiple input lines are selected with overlapping segments.
• An input line passes through a region where multiple domains overlap. Domains may overlap in
a single case or between multiple cases if more than one case is loaded.
To ensure that calculations are correct, these situations should be avoided.
11.1.9.1.2.4. # of Samples
# of Samples is not available if the From Line option is selected. The # of Samples setting sets the
amount of sample points in the direction of the rotational axis.
11.1.9.1.2.5. Theta Samples
The Theta Samples setting specifies the amount of sample points evenly rotated around the rotational
axis. For example, increasing this setting would make a cylinder's curve around its origin more accurate
(more like a circle).
11.1.9.1.2.6. Project to AR Plane Check Box
The Project to AR Plane check box is available only if the From Line option is selected. If Project
to AR Plane is selected (it is by default), then the Theta values will be projected to the plane of constant
Theta. This produces a more refined mesh.
11.1.9.1.3. Rotation Axis

11.1.9.1.3.1. Method
Option Description
Principal Enables you to specify a principal axis to rotate around.
Axis
Rotation Enables you to specify a custom axis to rotate around using
Axis a line.
11.1.9.1.3.2. Axis
Axis is available only if the Principal Axis option is selected. The Axis setting enables you to select
from a list the X, Y, or Z axis to rotate around.
11.1.9.1.3.3. From/To Text Boxes
The From and To text boxes are available only if the Rotation Axis option is selected. These fields
create a line representing the axis about which the Solid of Revolution is created.
11.1.9.1.4. Angle Range Check Box

Select the Angle Range check box if you want to specify a minimum or maximum angle to rotate to.
11.1.9.1.4.1. Min./Max. Angle
These settings specify a minimum and/or maximum angle to rotate to.
11.1.9.1.5. Axial/Radial Offset

11.1.9.1.5.1. Start/End A
These settings specify a start and end offset along the axis of rotation.
Location Submenu
11.1.9.1.5.2. Start/End R
These settings specify a start and end offset for the radius.
The following image shows two partial cones with the same profile and theta limits. For the end profile
of one of the cones, the radial offset is positive and the axial offset is negative, causing the radius to
increase and the axial coordinate to decrease with increasing theta (as determined by the right hand
rule with reference to the axis shown). Two other surfaces of revolution were included in the figure to
help illustrate axial displacements.
11.1.9.2. Surface of Revolution: Color

11.1.9.3. Surface of Revolution: Render

11.1.9.4. Surface of Revolution: View

11.1.10. Polyline Command

A polyline is a line connecting a series of points. The points may have local (path) variables associated
with them. The polyline can interact with CFD data and can be colored using path variables or domain
variables.
The following characteristics of polylines will be discussed:
• Polyline: Geometry (p. 178)
• Polyline: Color (p. 179)
• Polyline: Render (p. 179)
• Polyline: View (p. 179)
Note
There are several ways to insert a polyline:
• From the menu bar, select Insert > Location > Polyline.
• From the toolbar, select Location > Polyline.
tree view.
11.1.10.1. Polyline: Geometry

11.1.10.1.1. Method
Option Description
From File Enables you to specify a file that has the point data
contained within it.
The data file format is described in POLYLINE Data

Format (p. 103).
Boundary Enables you to select a boundary and an object to intersect
Intersec it with. The line will then plot on the intersection.
tion
From Con Enables you to plot using contour data (for example, a
tour velocity of 5 m/s).
11.1.10.1.2. File
File is available only if the From File option is selected. The File setting specifies the filename of a
file to insert. You can type in the filename or click Browse to open the Import dialog box and search
for the file. The only valid file types to import are *.txt and *.csv.
Tip
This method enables you to read polylines or lines from another case (if that case has the
required geometry). First export a polyline or a line from another case, make sure to select
Export Geometry Information, then use the From File method in the other case to import
the lines along with any local data. You can also create your own file containing your data,
such as experimental data, by using the same format. For a description of the polyline file
format, see POLYLINE Data Format (p. 103).
Location Submenu
11.1.10.1.3. Domains
Domains is available only if the Boundary Intersection option is selected. The Domains setting
selects a domain for the polyline to exist in. For details, see Domains (p. 149).
11.1.10.1.4. Boundary List

Boundary List is available only if the Boundary Intersection option is selected. The Boundary
List setting specifies a boundary. Click the Location Editor icon to open the Location Selector
dialog box, which displays the complete list of available boundaries.
Note
When intersecting with a thin surface boundary, the resulting polyline will include both sides
of the boundary. To intersect only one side, pick the primitive region that defines one side
of the thin surface instead of the entire boundary.
Note
If a mesh region is selected for the Boundary List, the polyline may not be successfully
generated if the mesh region is not part of an external boundary.
11.1.10.1.5. Intersect With

Intersect With is available only if the Boundary Intersection option is selected. The Intersect
With setting specifies a graphic object that intersects the boundary.
11.1.10.1.6. Contour Name

Contour Name is available only when the From Contour option is selected. The Contour Name
setting selects a predefined contour plot. If you have not created a contour, see Contour Com-
mand (p. 189).
11.1.10.1.7. Contour Level

Contour Level is available only when the From Contour option is selected. The Contour Level setting
specifies a contour level. The amount of contour levels is predefined by the Contour Command (p. 189).
11.1.10.2. Polyline: Color

11.1.10.3. Polyline: Render

11.1.10.4. Polyline: View

11.1.11. User Surface Command

A user surface can be defined in a number of different ways:
• From a file containing data points.
• From the intersection of a boundary and an existing locator.
• From a contour fringe number.
• By transforming an existing surface.
• Offset from an existing surface. The offset can be uniform or described by a variable.
Note
User Surface locators interpolate values using a method that is slightly less accurate than
that used for slice planes and isosurfaces. For details, see Interpolation in CFD-Post (p. 147).
The following characteristics of user surfaces will be discussed:
• User Surface: Geometry (p. 180)
• User Surface: Color (p. 184)
• User Surface: Render (p. 184)
• User Surface: View (p. 184)
Note
There are several ways to insert a user surface:
• From the menu bar, select Insert > Location > User Surface.
• From the toolbar, select Location > User Surface.
tree view.
11.1.11.1. User Surface: Geometry

11.1.11.1.1. Method
Option Description
From File Same as for the polyline object. For details, see
Polyline: Geometry: Method (p. 178).
The data file format is described in USER SURFACE Data

Format (p. 104).
Location Submenu
Option Description
Boundary Same as for the polyline object. For details, see
Intersec Polyline: Geometry: Method (p. 178).
tion
From Con Same as for the polyline object. For details, see
tour Polyline: Geometry: Method (p. 178).
Transformed Create a user surface by transforming a preexisting
Surface surface. You may specify a rotation, translation, and
uniform scale for the user surface.
Offset From Create a user surface by offsetting it from a preexisting
Surface surface. You may specify different methods of offset
for the user surface.
ANSYS Similar to the From File option, except that this
option uses ANSYS files to load into the instance. You
may also specify an associated boundary for the file
to be loaded onto. For details, see Specify Associated
Boundary Check Box (p. 184).
From STL File Similar to the From File option, except that this
option uses .stl files to load into the instance. Only
ASCII .stl files are supported.
You can also load STL files from the File menu in
CFD-Post. For details, see Importing .stl Files (p. 97).
Note
When multiple cases are loaded, user surfaces defined using either the Transformed
Surface or Offset From Surface methods exhibit different behavior depending on
where the preexisting surface is:
• The preexisting surface exists within domains from only one case.
– Examples: a slice plane that intersects, or otherwise has been restricted to, the domains of only
one case; a boundary that exists (by name) in only one case.
– Result: The user surface exists in each loaded case, and has the same geometry for all cases.
• The preexisting surface exists within domains of multiple loaded cases.
– Examples: a slice plane that intersects the domains of multiple cases; a boundary that exists
(by name) in multiple cases, and is selected in the list of preexisting surfaces specified by
Surface Name.
– Result: The user surface corresponds to the preexisting surface. That is, for every part of the
preexisting surface that exists in each case, there is a corresponding part of the user surface
that exists in the same case.
11.1.11.1.2. File
File is the same for the polyline object. For details, see Polyline: Geometry: File (p. 178).
Tip
This method enables you to read surfaces from another case. First export a surface (such as
a plane or a boundary) from another case and make sure to select Export Geometry Inform-
ation and Export Line and Face Data. Then use the From File method in the other case
to import the surface along with any local data. You can also create a file containing your
own data, such as experimental data, by using the same format. For a description of the
surface file format, see USER SURFACE Data Format (p. 104).
11.1.11.1.3. Domains/Boundary List/Intersect With

These settings are the same as for a polyline, except that instead of outlining the intersection, a line of
intersection is formed between the boundaries and the location. Each mesh element that the line passes
through forms part of the User Surface. For details, see Domains (p. 179).
11.1.11.1.4. Contour Name/Contour Level

These settings are the same as for a polyline, except that instead of outlining the contour, the User
Surface fills in all of the area above the contour level entered and below the contour level above. Also,
when applicable, Contour Level 1 creates a surface below the first contour line. For details, see Contour
Name (p. 179).
11.1.11.1.5. Surface Name

Surface Name is available only if either the Transformed Surface or Offset From Surface
options are selected. The Surface Name setting selects a surface on which to plot the User Surface.
11.1.11.1.6. Rotation Check Box

The Rotation check box is available only if the Transformed Surface option is selected. Select
the Rotation check box to specify a rotation for the User Surface. For details, see Apply Rotation Check
Box (p. 215).
11.1.11.1.7. Translation Check Box

The Translation check box is available only if the Transformed Surface option is selected. Select
the Translation check box to specify a translation for the User Surface. For details, see Apply Translation
Check Box (p. 216).
11.1.11.1.8. Scale Check Box

The Scale check box is available only if the Transformed Surface option is selected. Select the
Scale check box to specify a scale for the User Surface. Use the Scale field to specify a uniform scale
factor.
11.1.11.1.9. Type
Type is available only if the Offset From Surface option is selected. The Type setting has the
following options:
Location Submenu
Option Description
Normal Enables you to offset the User Surface normal to selected
surface.
Translation Enables you to offset the User Surface from the selected
al surface by moving the User Surface.
11.1.11.1.10. Mode
Mode is available only if the Offset From Surface option is selected. The Mode setting has the
following options:
Option Description
Uniform Enables you to specify a uniform offset.
Variable Enables you to select a variable to plot from the surface.
An example of a uniform normal offset of -0.1 [m] to the Default surface of the static mixer,
colored by Temperature, is shown in the diagram.
11.1.11.1.11. Distance
Distance is available only if the Uniform option is selected. The Distance setting specifies an offset
distance, whether it is translational or normal.
11.1.11.1.12. Variable
Variable is available only if the Variable option is selected. The Variable setting specifies a variable
to plot.
When the distance is described by a variable, you can also incorporate the variable into an expression.
For example, after you have chosen a variable you can click in the Distance box and amend it with
valid CFX Expression Language (CEL) (for example, 0.5 * Temperature).
11.1.11.1.13. Direction
Direction is available only if the Translational option is selected. The Direction setting selects a
direction to offset the User Surface. Increased values do not increase the translational offset, they merely
change the ratio that the offset X, Y, and Z directions are placed at. For example, [2,3,1] and [4,6,2]
would identically offset the User Surface.
11.1.11.1.14. Specify Associated Boundary Check Box

The Specify Associated Boundary check box is available only if the ANSYS option is selected. This
setting is also available in an import menu. For details, see Import Mechanical CDB Surface (p. 98).
11.1.11.1.15. Length Units

The Length Units field is available only if the From STL File or ANSYS (.cdb files only) options
are selected. Assigns the chosen length unit to the geometric information in the file. This will overwrite
any previous length units specified in the file.
11.1.11.2. User Surface: Color

11.1.11.3. User Surface: Render

11.1.11.4. User Surface: View

11.1.12. Surface Group Command

A surface group enables you to create a locator consisting of multiple surface locators.
The following characteristics of user surface groups will be discussed:
• Surface Group: Geometry (p. 185)
• Surface Group: Color (p. 185)
• Surface Group: Render (p. 185)
• Surface Group: View (p. 185)
Note
There are several ways to insert a surface group:
Location Submenu
• From the menu bar, select Insert > Location > Surface Group.
• From the toolbar, select Location > Surface Group.
tree view.
11.1.12.1. Surface Group: Geometry

11.1.12.1.1. Domains
The Domains setting selects the domains in which the surface group will exist. For details, see Do-
mains (p. 149).
The Locations setting specifies a location or locations on which to plot the Surface Group. For details,
see Locations (p. 152).
11.1.12.2. Surface Group: Color

11.1.12.3. Surface Group: Render

11.1.12.4. Surface Group: View

11.1.13. Turbo Surface Command

Turbo surfaces are graphic objects that can be viewed and used as locators, just like other graphic objects.
Note
There are two ways to insert a turbo surface:
• From the menu bar, select Insert > Location > Turbo Surface.
• From the toolbar, select Location > Turbo Surface.
For details on working with turbo surfaces, see Turbo Surface (p. 300).
11.1.14. Turbo Line Command

Turbo lines are graphic objects that can be viewed and used as locators, just like other graphic objects.
Note
There are two ways to insert a turbo line:
• From the menu bar, select Insert > Location > Turbo Line.
• From the toolbar, select Location > Turbo Line.
For details on working with turbo lines, see Turbo Line (p. 303).
11.2. Vector Command

A Vector Plot is a collection of vectors drawn to show the direction and magnitude (optional) of a
vector variable on a collection of points. These points, known as seeds, are defined by a location.
When post-processing a GGI simulation, the velocity vectors can be plotted in the local frame of reference
for each domain (Velocity Field Selection) or in the absolute frame of reference for each
domain (Velocity in a Stationary Frame). These two choices produce the same plot in all
stationary frame domains, but plot either the rotating frame or absolute frame velocity vectors in domains
that are in the rotating frame of reference.
The following characteristics of vectors will be discussed:
• Vector: Geometry (p. 187)
• Vector: Color (p. 188)
• Vector: Symbol (p. 188)
• Vector: Render (p. 189)
• Vector: View (p. 189)
Note
There are several ways to insert a vector plot:
• From the menu bar, select Insert > Vector.
• From the toolbar, click the Vector icon.
3D Viewer.
Vector Command
11.2.1. Vector: Geometry

11.2.1.1. Domains
11.2.1.2. Definition
Locations is the same for the Point Cloud object. For details, see Locations (p. 152).
11.2.1.2.2. Sampling
Sampling and all of the settings that correspond to it are the same for the Point Cloud object. For details,
see Sampling (p. 152).
11.2.1.2.3. Variable
The Variable setting selects a variable from the list to plot at the selected location.
Tip
Click the Location Editor icon to open the Variable Selector dialog box, which displays
the complete list of available variables.
11.2.1.2.4. Hybrid/Conservative Options

For details, see Hybrid and Conservative Variable Values.
11.2.1.2.5. Projection
The Projection setting has the following options:
Option Description
None Original vectors are plotted without any projection.
Coord Frame Plots vector components aligned with a principal axis
or an axis of a custom coordinate frame.
Normal Plots vector components normal to the location.
Applicable only for surface locations.
Tangential Plots vector components tangential to the location.
Applicable only for surface locations.
When a rotation axis is defined (set in the Turbo tab, or by reading a turbo case), the Projection setting
has the following additional options:
Option Description
Axial Plots vector components along the rotation axis.
Available when a rotation axis is defined.
Option Description
Radial Plots vector components radially to the rotation axis.
Available when a rotation axis is defined.
Circumferen Plots vector components along the theta direction
tial about the rotation axis. Available when a rotation axis
is defined.
11.2.1.2.6. Direction
There are two drop-down list boxes for this setting. The first list represents the options for the range
of the vector. The second list box represents the available directions to plot the vector in.
11.2.2. Vector: Color

11.2.3. Vector: Symbol

11.2.3.1. Symbol
The Symbol setting has the following options to select a shape for the vector:
Option Description
Line Arrow Displays the vector as a line arrow. This option takes
the least amount of memory and is suggested for large
vector field plots.
Arrow2D Displays a filled line arrow.
Arrow3D Displays a 3D filled line arrow.
Arrowhead Displays the tip of the Arrow2D option.
Arrowhead3D Displays a 3D version of the Arrowhead option.
Fish3D Displays a 3D fish.
Ball Displays a sphere at every vector point. This option
does not specify a direction, only a scalar value.
Crosshair Displays a 3D “+” sign. This option, through its natural
shape, displays the normal and the tangential vector
to the surface automatically. However, the crosshair
does not point to the actual direction (does not have
an arrow pointing the direction of the actual vector).
Octahedron Displays a filled Crosshair option.
Cube Displays a 3D box. One face of the cube lies tangent
to the surface and one of the corners points in the
direction of the vector.
11.2.3.2. Symbol Size

The Symbol Size setting specifies the scale for the vectors symbol.
Contour Command
11.2.3.3. Normalize Symbols Check Box

Select the Normalize Symbols check box to make all of the vectors the same size.
11.2.4. Vector: Render

11.2.5. Vector: View

11.3. Contour Command

A contour plot is a series of lines linking points with equal values of a given variable. For example,
contours of height exist on geographical maps and give an impression of gradient and land shape.
The following characteristics of contours will be discussed:
• Contour: Geometry (p. 189)
• Contour: Labels (p. 192)
• Contour: Render (p. 192)
• Contour: View (p. 192)
Note
There are several ways to insert a contour plot:
• From the menu bar, select Insert > Contour.
• From the toolbar, click the Contour icon.
11.3.1. Contour: Geometry

11.3.1.1. Domains
11.3.1.2. Locations
For details, see Locations (p. 152).
11.3.1.3. Variable
For details, see Mode: Variable and Use Plot Variable (p. 20).
11.3.1.4. Range
For details, see Range (p. 20). In addition to the options specified in the link, there is the following
option. Value List is a comma-separated list that enables you to specify the actual values at which
contours should be plotted. For example, if plotting temperature in a combustor, you might try a value
list of 300, 500, 700, 900, and 1100K. It should be noted that entering a value list overrides the
number specified in the # of Contours (p. 191) field.
Note
When dealing with the face values of variables X, Y, and Z, CFD-Post computes the global
and local ranges using vertex values whereas Fluent computes the ranges using cell-center
values. As a result, the computed ranges may differ between CFD-Post and Fluent.
11.3.1.5. Variable Location: Vertex and Face Options

The Variable Location setting controls details about the source of the variable data on which the
contour is based. This setting is enabled only when Fluent results are loaded.
The two options are:
• Vertex
The variable data is interpolated from mesh vertex values. This is the default setting for all types of
results. Note that this option is always in effect for non-Fluent results.
• Face (only for postprocessing Fluent results)
The variable data is taken (without interpolation) from one of two sources, depending on availability:
– Wherever face-center values are available on a locator, those values are used for contour creation.
Face-center values are typically available on boundaries and interfaces for Fluent files.
– If face-center values are not available on a locator, then cell-center values of the mesh elements are used
for contour creation, provided that such cell-center values are available. For example, for locators that
“cut” through mesh elements (for example, planes and isosurfaces), the variable data is taken from the
(cell-center) values for the mesh elements that are “cut” by the locator.
• If neither face-center values nor cell-center values are available, CFD-Post issues a warning message and
does not generate a contour.
Note
• Contours created in CFD-Post with the Face option are similar to contours created in Fluent
with the Node values option switched off.
A notable difference between such contours in CFD-Post and Fluent is that Fluent
contours always use cell-center values even when face-center values are available. It
Contour Command
follows that such contours will be different between CFD-Post and Fluent for locators
that have face-center values, typically boundaries and interfaces. On such locators,
the contour minimum and maximum values in CFD-Post should match the minimum
and maximum face set values in Fluent.
• When dealing with the face values of variables X, Y, and Z, CFD-Post computes the global
and local ranges using vertex values whereas Fluent computes the ranges using cell-center
values. As a result, the computed ranges may differ between CFD-Post and Fluent.
11.3.1.6. Boundary Data: Hybrid and Conservative Options

The Boundary Data setting controls details about the source of the variable data on which the contour
is based.
The two options are:
• Hybrid
Hybrid variable values are used. Such values exist only in CFX results.
• Conservative
Conservative variable values are used. Such values exist only in CFX results.
For details, see Hybrid and Conservative Variable Values.
Note
In the following cases, CFD-Post makes the Boundary Data setting available, even if not all
the domains in the Domains specification for the contour contain CFX results:
• A domain having CFX results is part of the Domains specification.
• In the current session of CFD-Post, the variable has been plotted using hybrid values in a domain
that is not selected in Domains.
In these cases, if you make a contour with the Hybrid option, undefined values are plotted
over domains that do not contain hybrid variables.
11.3.1.7. Color Scale

For details, see Color Scale (p. 20).
11.3.1.8. Color Map

For details, see Color Map (p. 20).
11.3.1.9. # of Contours
The # of Contours setting specifies the number of contours in the plot. This will not increase the range,
it will increase only the number of contours within the range.
11.3.1.10. Clip to Range Check Box

Select the Clip to Range check box to plot values only within the specified Range. If selected, you
should use this setting in conjunction with the User Specified range.
11.3.2. Contour: Labels

11.3.2.1. Show Numbers Check Box
Select the Show Numbers check box to display numbers for the contour lines and edit their appearance.
The contour numbers will appear next to the contour values in the legend.
11.3.2.1.1. Text Height

The Text Height setting specifies a value for the text height. The value corresponds to a ratio of the
height of the 3D Viewer. For example, a value of 1 would display the contour numbers to be the full
height of the 3D Viewer.
11.3.2.1.2. Text Font

The Text Font setting specifies a font from the list.
11.3.2.1.3. Color Mode

The Color Mode setting has the following options:
Option Description
Default Displays the text as gray.
User Spe Enables you to specify a custom color.
cified
11.3.2.1.4. Text Color

The Text Color setting selects a custom color. You can select a predefined color by clicking the color
bar.
Tip
Click the Location Editor icon to open the Select color dialog box, which displays the
complete range of available colors.
11.3.3. Contour: Render

The Render tab for a contour does not contain an Apply Texture section, but does contain the other
sections described in Render Tab (p. 22).
11.3.4. Contour: View

Streamline Command
11.4. Streamline Command

A streamline is the path that a particle of zero mass would take through the fluid domain. The path is
calculated using a Runge-Kutta method of vector variable integration with variable timestep control.
Streamlines start at each node on a given locator.
The assumption of steady-state flow is assumed when a streamline is created, even with a transient
simulation. Although the CFD-Post streamline algorithm is efficient, the calculation of large numbers
of streamlines in a large domain can still take a long period of time. Therefore, when calculating
streamlines for a solution for the first time, start by plotting a small number of streamlines and then
increase the number of streamlines until the best generation time vs. detail ratio is found.
Note
In multi-domain turbo cases, streamlines may not always cross from one domain to next.
This can happen when there is no overlap between the two domains, or when the domain
interface is not modeled as an interface, but rather as outlet/inlet pair (for example, in Fluent).
If you want to view streamlines in both domains in such cases, you can start the streamlines
from both "inlets", or from the inlet and the outlet, setting the Direction to be Forward and
Backward.
The following characteristics of streamlines will be discussed:
• Streamline: Geometry (p. 194)
• Streamline: Color (p. 196)
• Streamline: Symbol (p. 196)
• Streamline: Limits (p. 197)
• Streamline: Render (p. 198)
• Streamline: View (p. 198)
Note
There are several ways to insert a streamline:
• From the menu bar, select Insert > Streamline.
• From the toolbar, click the Streamline icon.
11.4.1. Streamline: Geometry

11.4.1.1. Type
Option Description
3D Stream Plots the streamline inside a specified domain from a location.
line
Surface Plots the streamline on a surface from a location. A Surface Streamline is defined
Streamline as a line everywhere tangent to the surface variable component at a given instant
of time.
11.4.1.2.1. Domains
Domains is available only if the 3D Streamline option is selected. For details, see Domains (p. 149).
11.4.1.2.2. Start From (3D Streamline)

Start From is available only if the 3D Streamline option is selected. The Start From setting selects
a location or locations to start from. For details, see Locations (p. 152).
If you are starting your streamlines from an inlet, outlet, or slice plane, you are advised to use the Factor
field to reduce the number of streamlines. If your solution is likely to contain recirculation areas, or regions
of high vorticity, you are advised to reduce the Max Segments number to a few hundred streamlines.
If the streamlines stop part of the way through the domain, increase the Max Segments value until
you receive good results.
11.4.1.2.3. Surfaces
Surfaces is available only if the Surface Streamline option is selected. The Surfaces setting selects
a location or locations to plot on. For details, see Locations (p. 152).
11.4.1.2.4. Start From (Surface Streamline)

Start From is available only if the Surface Streamline option is selected. This setting is similar
to the Sampling setting for a Point Cloud object. For details, see Sampling (p. 152). The differences
between the settings are that you cannot select the Random option for this setting and that the Start
From setting also has the Locations option.
Locations is available only if the Locations option is selected. For details, see Locations (p. 152).
11.4.1.2.6. Sampling
Sampling is available only if the 3D Streamline option is selected. The Sampling setting is
identical to the Sampling setting for a Point Cloud object, except that you cannot select the Random
option for this setting. For details, see Sampling (p. 152).
Streamline Command
11.4.1.2.7. Preview Seeds Button

Click the Preview Seeds button to display in the Viewer where the streamlines will originate from.
11.4.1.2.8. Variable
Use Variable to select a variable to plot. Using the Velocity variable is recommended. For details,
see Variable (p. 187).
11.4.1.2.9. Hybrid/Conservative Options

For help on which field to select, see Hybrid and Conservative Variable Values.
11.4.1.2.10. Direction
The Direction setting has the following options:
Option Description
Forward Specifies that the streamline goes only in the positive direction from the start
point.
Backward Specifies that the streamline goes only in the negative direction from the start
point.
Forward and Specifies that the streamline goes in both the positive and negative directions
Backward from the start point.
11.4.1.3. Cross Periodics Check Box

Cross Periodics is available only if the 3D Streamline option is selected. Select the Cross Periodics
check box to have the streamline cross from one periodic interface to the opposite boundary. A periodic
interface can be defined by selecting a periodic option for a domain interface.
Domain interfaces are used for multiple purposes:
• Connecting domains or assemblies
Domain Interfaces are required to connect multiple unmatched meshes within a domain (for example,
when there is a hexahedral mesh volume and a tetrahedral mesh volume within a single domain)
and to connect separate domains.
• Modeling changes in reference frame between domains
This occurs when you have a stationary and a rotating domain or domains rotating at different rates.
• Creating periodic interfaces between regions
This occurs when you are reducing the size of the computational domain by assuming periodicity in
the simulation.
11.4.1.4. Simplify Streamline Geometry Check Box

Simplify Streamline Geometry is available only if the Surface Streamline option is selected.
Select the Simplify Streamline Geometry check box to interpolate a linear line in between points if
the streamline is almost linear. This will have negative effects if you plot a variable on the streamline
because the linearly interpolated line will omit the points in between the points that create the line.
11.4.2. Streamline: Color

There are two additional options for coloring streamlines not available on other objects. These are Time
and Unique. The Time option colors the streamline by the amount of time a massless particle would
take to get to each point of the streamline, starting at the location. The Unique option gives each
streamline a different color along its whole length, and can be used to track individual streamlines
through a domain. For details on how to use the rest of the Color tab, see Color Tab (p. 19).
11.4.3. Streamline: Symbol

The Symbol tab adds markers to each streamline at given time intervals.
11.4.3.1. Show Symbols Check Box

Select the Show Symbols check box to draw symbols at a user-specified time interval along the
streamline.
11.4.3.1.1. Min Time

The Min Time setting specifies a minimum time to start plotting the symbols. The time value can also
be an expression. To create an expression, click the Expression icon and enter the expression.
11.4.3.1.2. Max Time

The Max Time setting specifies a maximum time to stop plotting the symbols. The time value may also
be an expression. To create an expression, click the Expression icon and enter the expression.
11.4.3.1.3. Interval
The Interval setting specifies the time interval at which you want to plot the symbols.
11.4.3.1.4. Symbol
The same options are available for the Symbol setting for the vector object. For details, see Sym-
bol (p. 188). The symbols are drawn along the vector for the streamline at the given point.
11.4.3.1.5. Symbol Size

This setting is identical to the Symbol Size setting for the vector object. For details, see Symbol
Size (p. 188).
11.4.3.2. Show Streams Check Box

Select the Show Streams check box to display the streamline or streamlines.
11.4.3.2.1. Stream Type

The Stream Type setting has the following options:
Streamline Command
Option Description
Line Plots the streamline as a line.
Tube Plots the streamline in tube shape.
Ribbon Plots the streamline in a flat tube shape. Ribbons also displays axial rotation
of the fluid as it passes through the domain.
11.4.3.2.2. Line Width/Tube Width/Ribbon Width

These settings control the width of the streamline.
11.4.3.2.3. # of Sides
# of Sides is available only if the Tube option is selected. The # of Sides setting specifies the number
of sides to the tube. The minimum number of sides is 3 and the maximum is 20.
11.4.3.2.4. Initial Direction

Initial Direction is available only if the Ribbon option is selected. The Initial Direction setting specifies
the initial direction of the ribbon streamline.
11.4.4. Streamline: Limits

The Limits tab enables modification of the tolerance, segments, and maximum time settings.
11.4.4.1. Step Tolerance

The values for the streamline (location and direction) are calculated at points determined by the step
tolerance mode. You can choose to have streamline elements calculated relative to the mesh (grid) or
at absolute increments as shown in the table that follows:
11.4.4.1.1. Mode
Option Description
Grid Relat Specifies that the streamline must lie within the specified fraction of the local
ive grid cell size. Selecting Grid Relative means that the Tolerance is directly
proportional to the mesh spacing. In areas where the mesh has been refined
(such as areas where the flow pattern changes quickly), the Tolerance setting
reduces the distance between streamline points proportionately. This in turn
produces more accurate streamlines in these areas.
Absolute Specifies that the calculation points for streamline elements must lie within
the Tolerance distance specified.
11.4.4.1.2. Tolerance
The Tolerance setting specifies the accuracy of the path. As the Tolerance setting becomes finer, the
accuracy increases but the calculation time increases.
11.4.4.2. Upper Limits

11.4.4.2.1. Max Segments
The Max Segments setting specifies the maximum number of segments allowed for a streamline before
it ends.
11.4.4.2.2. Max Time

The Max Time setting specifies the maximum time allowed to pass before the streamline ends. A time
of zero, in this case, represents infinite time (because zero would actually plot nothing).
11.4.4.2.3. Max Periods

The Max Periods setting is available only if the Cross Periodics check box is selected in the Geometry
tab. This setting sets the number of times a streamline is able to pass through a periodic boundary.
11.4.5. Streamline: Render

The render settings can be changed by clicking the Render tab. For details, see Render Tab (p. 22).
11.4.6. Streamline: View

11.5. Particle Track Command

In complex flows, it is often useful to track the flow of discrete particles through the flow field. These
particles interact with the fluid, following a path that is determined by the particle properties, as well
as by the mean and turbulent flow behavior. The tracking is useful in two ways:
• Particle tracking can trace the mean flow behavior in and around complex geometries.
• The injection of several particles from a point can help to display the turbulence properties of the flow.
In ANSYS Fluent, particle tracking information is contained in a Fluent Particle Track XML file. For details
on creating a particle track file in ANSYS Fluent, see Exporting Steady-State Particle History Data in the
Fluent User's Guide. To learn how to import such a file into a case loaded in CFD-Post, see Import Fluent
Particle Track File (p. 97). Once the Fluent Particle Track file has been loaded, a Reread button appears
in the Particle Track details view. Clicking that button causes the particle track file to be reread and
automatically updates any object that has a dependency on that file.
In ANSYS CFX, particle tracking information is written to the results file. The parameters are set in the
pre-processor. CFD-Post also provides support for track files created in CFX by enabling the import of
particle tracking data from a separate file. If a CFX results file contains particle tracking data, an object
will exist in the tree view of type Res Particle Track.
The following characteristics of particle tracks will be discussed:
• Particle Track: Geometry (p. 199)
• Particle Track: Color (p. 201)
Particle Track Command
• Particle Track: Symbol (p. 202)
• Particle Track: Render (p. 203)
• Particle Track: View (p. 203)
• Particle Track: Info (p. 203)
Note
There are several ways to insert a particle track:
• To insert a Fluent particle track, select File > Import > Import Fluent Particle Track File.
• From the menu bar, select Insert > Particle Track.
• From the toolbar, click the Particle Track icon.
tree view.
11.5.1. Particle Track: Geometry

11.5.1.1. Method
For ANSYS CFX cases, the Method setting has the following options:
Option Description
From Res Creates the particle track from the current .res file. This option is available only with a valid
results file.
CFX-4 Creates the particle track data from the selected file.
Tracks From
File Note
You cannot load Fluent Particle Track Files using this option; such files can be
loaded only via File > Import > Import Fluent Particle Track File.
11.5.1.1.1. Domains
Domains is available only if the From Res option is selected. For details, see Domains (p. 149).
11.5.1.1.2. Material
Material is available only if the From Res option is selected. The Material setting selects a material
to emulate with the particle track.
11.5.1.2. File
File is available only for ANSYS CFX cases. The File setting specifies the filename of a file to load. You
may type in the filename or click Browse to open the Select CFX-4 Particle Track File dialog box,
and search for the file.
11.5.1.3. Injections
For ANSYS Fluent cases, the Injections setting enables you to filter by injection region.
11.5.1.4. Reduction Type

The Reduction Type setting has the following options:
Option Description
Maximum Enables you to set the maximum number of tracks to be
Number of plotted.
Tracks
Reduction Enables you to specify a reduction factor to decrease the
Factor number of tracks to be plotted.
11.5.1.4.1. Reduction
Reduction is available only if the Reduction Factor option is selected. This setting is the same as
Factor for the Point Cloud object. For details, see Factor (p. 153).
11.5.1.4.2. Max Tracks

Max Tracks is available only if the Maximum Number of Tracks option is selected. The Max Tracks
setting specifies the maximum number of tracks to be plotted.
11.5.1.5. Limits Option

The Limits Option setting has the following options:
Option Description
Up to Cur Plots the track values up to the current timestep only.
rent
Timestep
Since Last Plots the track values from the previous timestep to the
Timestep current timestep.
User Spe Enables you to specify a beginning and ending
cified. time/distance.
Note
For transient cases, CFD-Post uses transient timesteps (as shown in the timestep selector) to
determine Since Last Timestep values; CFD-Post does not limit timesteps by solver
timesteps, or by what is written in the particle tracking XML file as separate times. Therefore,
Particle Track Command
if Since Last Timestep is selected, the tracks will be limited to the values between
the previous timestep (from that selected in the Timestep Selector) and the currently selected
timestep. If this is a steady-state case, this option will not limit the tracks in any way.
11.5.1.5.1. Limit Type and Start/End <variable>

Limit Type and Start/End <variable> are available only if the User Specified option is selected.
The Limit Type setting specifies the limiting variable for the plot, and Start/End <limiter> specify a
start and end value for the selected limiter.
• For CFX cases, Limit Type can be either Time or Distance.
• For Fluent cases, Limit Type can be either Time or Diameter.
11.5.1.6. Filter Check Box

Select the Filter check box to specify filters. The settings included are Start Region, End Region, Dia-
meter, Track, and the Match ALL/Match ANY options.
11.5.1.6.1. Start/End Region Check Boxes

These settings are available only if the From Res option is selected. Select the Start/End Region
check boxes to filter out the tracks that do not start or end in the selected region.
11.5.1.6.2. Diameter Check Box

Select the Diameter check box and set the corresponding text and list boxes to place restrictions on
particles at the injection location.
11.5.1.6.3. Track Check Box

Select the Track check box and enter numbers corresponding to tracks to display indicated tracks by
entering a comma-delimited list of track numbers. You may also enter a range of track numbers. For
example:
• -5 specifies tracks 1 to 5
• 40- specifies track numbers above 40
• 10-100 specifies tracks 10 to 100.
You may view the Info tab to view the Total Tracks and Tracks Shown. For details, see Particle Track:
Info (p. 203).
11.5.1.6.4. Match ALL/Match ANY Options

Select Match All to display only the tracks that meet all of the specified Filter conditions. Selecting
Match Any draws all tracks that meet one or more of the selected conditions.
11.5.2. Particle Track: Color

11.5.3. Particle Track: Symbol

11.5.3.1. Show Symbols Check Box
This setting and its options are similar to those for the Show Symbols check box for the streamline
object, as described in Show Symbols Check Box (p. 196). The differences are that a particle track has a
Max Time is setting and different symbol size options.
The Size Option choices are Constant and Particle Diameter:
• When Size Option is Constant, the symbol size is constant for all particles. The particle size displayed is a
mean particle diameter size multiplied by the value you set with the Scale setting.
• When Size Option is Particle Diameter, the Scale Type can be Absolute or Relative.
– When Scale Type is Absolute, the particle size displayed is a mean particle diameter size multiplied by
the value you set with the Scale setting.
– When Scale Type is Relative, symbol sizes are scaled by the domain.
Note
Enabling symbols for single-point tracks will cause CFD-Post to show symbols for each point
that exists between the Min. Time and Max. Time. The interval setting has no effect because
there is no interval to show. This behavior is different than for tracks that have segments,
because tracks without segments are not visible unless a symbol is drawn on them.
For particle tracks that have no lines for the given set of tracks, CFD-Post evaluates each
point for the tracks against the Min. Time and Max. Time and, if the time on that vertex
falls between those times, a symbol is drawn. Therefore, track symbols will exist on track
vertices that have differing times (that is, it will not just be a symbol at 1.0 s for all tracks;
rather, it will be a symbol for all track points with a time between 0.5 s and 1.0 s).
11.5.3.1.1. Max Time is

The Max Time is setting has the following options:
Option Description
User Spe Enables you to enter a custom value for the maximum time
cified value. This is the default for steady-state simulations.
Current Uses the current timestep as the maximum time value. This
Time is the default for transient simulations.
11.5.3.2. Show Tracks Check Box

The settings for this check box are the same as for the Show Streams check box for the streamline
object. For details, see Show Streams Check Box (p. 196).
11.5.3.3. Show Track Numbers Check Box

Select the Show Track Numbers check box to display and edit the appearance of track numbers. The
track numbers will be displayed at the beginning of each numbered track. This setting and its options
Volume Rendering Command
are similar to the Show Numbers check box for the contour object. For details, see Show Numbers
Check Box (p. 192).
11.5.4. Particle Track: Render

The render settings can be changed by clicking the Render tab. For details, see Render Tab (p. 22).
11.5.5. Particle Track: View

11.5.6. Particle Track: Info

The Info tab displays information about the current state of the particle tracks. Note that the File field
is read-only for Fluent particle track cases.
Note that CFD-Post shows the tracks displayed after reduction and filtering. Track Limiting is just a
way to show parts of a track that are displayed (after reduction and filtering); if a track happens not to
be visible during the Track Limiting range, then nothing will be shown for that track, but the number
of tracks and the track index range is always reported for all tracks.
Tip
If you want to see the track numbers for that particle tracks that are visible within the limits,
you can turn on Show Track Numbers in the Symbol tab.
If you have changed settings on another tab menu, you must click Apply before the information is
updated.
11.6. Volume Rendering Command

The Volume Rendering feature enables you to visualize field variables throughout the entire domain
by varying the transparency and color of the plot as a function of the variable value. For example, you
can make realistic images of smoke and analyze how it spreads and how the smoke affects visibility.
Tip
A gradient background in the viewer can interfere with the interpretation of volume rendering
results. You may find it useful to set the viewer background to solid white so that the
gradients of the solution itself are easier to see. You can set the viewer background with the
Tools > Options > CFD-Post > Viewer > Background: Color Type option.
The following characteristics of volume rendering will be discussed:
• Volume Rendering: Geometry (p. 204)
• Volume Rendering: Color (p. 205)
• Volume Rendering: Render (p. 205)
• Volume Rendering: View (p. 205)
11.6.1. Volume Rendering: Geometry

The Geometry tab has the following settings:
Domains
Where the Volume Rendering will be calculated.
Variable
The name of the variable to be used in determining the transparency of the object.
Range
Range enables you to plot using the global, local, or a user specified range of a variable. The range affects
the variation of transparency used when plotting the object in the viewer.
• The Global range option uses the variable values from the results in all domains (regardless of the
domains selected on the Geometry tab) and all time steps (when applicable) to determine the transparent
and opaque values.
Volume Rendering Command
• The Local range option uses only the variable values on the current object at the current time step to
set the transparent and opaque range values. This option is useful to use the full transparency range on
an object.
• The User Specified range option enables you to specify your own transparent and opaque values.
You can use this to concentrate the full transparency range into a specific variable range.
Boundary Data
You can specify the use of Hybrid or Conservative values. For help on the use of Hybrid or Conservative
values, see Hybrid and Conservative Variable Values in the CFX Reference Guide.
Transparency Scale
Sets calculation of the object transparency with either a Linear or Logarithmic scale. By default, the scale
is Linear.
Transparency Map
The name of the color map to use when rendering the transparency of the object.
Note
You can create your own transparency map by clicking the map editor icon . It is
possible to invert the transparency gradient (making larger data values more transparent),
but using an inverted transparency gradient with a user-specified range of values may
cause “holes” to appear in the plot.
Resolution
The number of plane cuts per axis. The larger the number of plane cuts, the finer the resolution in the
volume rendering.
Transparency Factor
The factor applied to the overall transparency of the plot. Values can range from 0 (fully opaque) to 1 (fully
transparent).
11.6.2. Volume Rendering: Color

The color settings can be changed by clicking the Color tab. For details, see Color Tab (p. 19). Note
that the transparency of the selected color map is disregarded; only the colors of the selected color
map are used.
11.6.3. Volume Rendering: Render

11.6.4. Volume Rendering: View

Important
Volume rendering data displays properly for translational and reflective instances, but not
for rotational instances.
11.7. Text Command

Text can be added to the viewer for titles, annotations, or comments in CFD-Post.
The following characteristics of text will be discussed:
• Text: Definition (p. 206)
• Text: Location (p. 207)
• Text: Appearance (p. 208)
Note
There are several ways to insert a text object:
• From the menu bar, select Insert > Object >Text.
• From the toolbar, click the Text icon.
tree view.
11.7.1. Text: Definition

11.7.1.1. Text String
The Text String setting enters text for the object. When <aa> appears, auto-annotation will be embed-
ded there.
11.7.1.2. Embed Auto Annotation Check Box

Select the Embed Auto Annotation check box to insert auto-annotation into the text string.
11.7.1.2.1. Type
Option Description
Expression Adds an expression, selected from a list, to the text string.
Timestep Adds the current timestep to the text string.
Time Value Adds the current time value to the text string.
Filename Adds the filename or the entire pathname to the text string.
File Date Adds the date that the file was created to the text string.
File Time Adds the time that the file was created to the text string.
Crank Angle Adds the crank angle associated with the current timestep.
This is only applicable to internal combustion engine cases.
Text Command
11.7.1.2.2. Expression
Expression is available only if the Expression option is selected. The Expression setting specifies
an expression to enter into the text string.
11.7.1.2.3. Format (for Filename option)

Format is available only if the Filename option is selected. The Format setting selects either Entire
Path or Filename Only to insert into the text string.
11.7.1.2.4. Format (for the File Date and File Time options)
Format is available if either the File Date or File Time options are selected. The Format setting
selects a time format to enter into the text string.
11.7.1.2.5. Determine the number formatting automatically Check Box

You can allow CFD-Post to define an appropriate format for the display of floating point numbers in
certain annotations (Crank Angle, Expression, and Time Value) or choose the format yourself:
• If you select Determine the number formatting automatically, CFD-Post will change the formatting to
the one that best suits the data being plotted.
• If you clear Determine the number formatting automatically, you can choose between scientific notation
and fixed notation, and set the amount of precision.
11.7.1.3. More/Fewer Buttons

Click the More button to create another line of text. Click the Fewer button to remove these added
lines of text.
11.7.2. Text: Location

11.7.2.1. Location
11.7.2.1.1. Position Mode
The Position Mode setting has the following options:
Option Description
Two Coords Specifies the text to sit in the Viewer in the 2D plane.
Three Co Specifies the text to be fixed to one point in the Viewer
ords and rotate with that point when the view is rotated.
11.7.2.1.2. X Justification
This setting is available only if the Two Coords option is selected and is the same for the Legend
object. For details, see X Justification (p. 212).
11.7.2.1.3. Y Justification
This setting is available only if the Two Coords option is selected and is the same for the Legend
object. For details, see Y Justification (p. 212).
11.7.2.1.4. Position (for Two Coords option)

Position is available only if the Two Coords option is selected. The Position setting specifies a fixed
2D point at which the text will be displayed.
11.7.2.1.5. Position (for Three Coords option)

Position is available only if the Three Coords option is selected. The Position setting specifies a 3D
point at which the text will be displayed.
11.7.2.1.6. Rotation
The Rotation setting specifies a rotation for the text about the bottom-left corner of text in a counter-
clockwise direction. When the X/Y Justification is set to Center, the object rotates about the center
point of the text.
11.7.3. Text: Appearance

11.7.3.1. Height
The Height setting specifies a text height. The value is equivalent to a fraction of the Viewer size.
11.7.3.2. Color Mode

This setting and its corresponding settings are the same for the Contour object. For details, see Color
Mode (p. 192).
11.7.3.3. Font
The Font setting specifies a font type for the text from a list.
11.8. Coordinate Frame Command

In CFD-Post it may be necessary to define a new coordinate frame for certain quantitative operations,
which are described in Function Calculator (p. 263).
Note
• There are several ways to insert a coordinate frame:
– From the menu bar, select Insert > Coordinate Frame.
– From the toolbar, click the Coordinate Frame icon.
– Depending on the context, you may be able to perform an insert from the shortcut menu in
the tree view.
Coordinate Frame Command
• You cannot use a user-defined coordinate frame as part of a general CEL expression. For example,
radius = sqrt(x_myAxis^2 + y_myAxis^2), is not valid.
For information on how to define a coordinate frame, see Coordinate Frame Details (p. 209).
11.8.1. Coordinate Frame: Definition

11.8.1.1. Type
The Type setting is always set to Cartesian.
11.8.1.2. Origin
The Origin setting specifies 3D coordinates corresponding to the location of the new Coordinate Frame.
11.8.1.3. Z Axis Point

The Z Axis Point setting specifies a point on the Z axis from the origin.
11.8.1.4. X-Z Plane Pt

The X-Z Plane Pt setting specifies a point in the XZ plane used to define the positive X axis direction.
11.8.1.5. Symbol Size

The Symbol Size setting scales the size of the coordinate frame being edited.
11.8.1.6. Coordinate Frame Details

A coordinate frame is created by specifying three points. It is important to understand how these three
points are used to create a coordinate frame.
The first point is the origin for the new coordinate frame (labelled Origin in the Definition tab). The
second point is used to create a Z axis in the new frame. A vector is calculated from the Origin to the
point defined in the Z Axis Point box and used as the third axis of the new coordinate frame. The plane
normal to the Z axis is now set and contains both the X and Y axes.
A third point entered into the X-Z Plane Pt box is needed to define the location of the X and Y axis in
the plane normal to the Z axis. The X-Z Plane Pt point, along with the two points already specified,
define a plane that lies in the X-Z plane (see diagram below). Because the X axis must now lie in both
the X-Z plane and the plane normal to the Z axis, its location must be the line of intersection between
the two planes. The positive direction for the X axis is the same side as the X-Z Plane Pt point lies with
respect to the Z axis.
Finally, because the Y axis must be perpendicular to both the X Axis and the Z Axis, its positive direction
is determined by the right-hand rule.
If X-Z Plane Pt is specified such that it lies on Axis 3, an error is displayed. The projection of the X-
Z Plane Pt onto the plane normal to the Z axis would be on the origin and does not give enough in-
formation to define the X axis.
11.9. Legend Command

Default and user-defined legends can be plotted in the viewer to show the mapping between colors
and quantities for plots that are colored by variable values.
The following characteristics of legends will be discussed:
• Default Legends (p. 211)
• User-defined Legends (p. 211)
• Legend: Definition Tab (p. 211)
• Legend: Appearance Tab (p. 213)
Note
There are several ways to insert a legend:
• From the menu bar, select Insert > Legend.
• From the toolbar, click the Legend icon.
Legend Command
tree view.
11.9.1. Default Legends

Each view/figure has a Default Legend object that appears whenever an eligible plot is created or
updated. As further objects are added to, or updated in, a viewport, the Default Legend updates
to show the variable values for the latest plot.
Only the default legend for the selected view/figure is shown in the tree view. The other default legends
continue to exist, even when not displayed in the tree view.
11.9.2. User-defined Legends

To create a user-defined legend, select Insert > Legend.
11.9.3. Legend: Definition Tab

11.9.3.1. Plot
The Plot setting is available only when creating or modifying a user-defined legend (not the default
legends). Select from a list of objects for the legend to act on.
11.9.3.2. Title Mode

The Title Mode setting has the following options:
Option Description
No Title Omits the title.
Variable Sets the title to the name of the variable mapped by
the legend.
Variable Variable and Location is the same as Vari
and Loca able except that the name of the locator is appended
tion to the title.
User Spe Enables you to specify a custom title.
cified
11.9.3.3. Title
The Title field is available only after the User Specified option has been selected. This setting
enters a custom title.
11.9.3.4. Show Legend Units Check Box

Clearing the Show Legend Units check box will hide the legend units. By default, the check box is se-
lected, and so units are displayed.
Note
The legend will always display Temperature in absolute units: if C or K are selected as tem-
perature units, the legend's data will be displayed in K; if F or R are selected, the legend's
data will be displayed in R. For details, see Function Calculator (p. 263).
11.9.3.5. Vertical / Horizontal Options

Selecting Vertical or Horizontal will display the legend vertically or horizontally in the Viewer.
11.9.3.6. Location
11.9.3.6.1. X Justification
The X Justification setting has the following options:
Option Description
None Enables you to specify a custom X location using the
Position fields.
Left Places the legend on the left side of the viewer.
Center Places the legend in the center of the viewer.
Right Places the legend on the right side of the viewer.
11.9.3.6.2. Y Justification
The Y Justification setting has the following options:
Option Description
None Enables you to specify a custom Y location using the
Position fields.
Top Places the legend at the top of the viewer.
Center Places the legend in the center of the viewer.
Bottom Places the legend at the bottom of the viewer.
11.9.3.6.3. Position
The Position fields specify a custom point at which to position the legend. This setting is available after
the None option is selected for the X and/or Y Justification settings. The values entered are fractions
of the screen width/height for x and y respectively. For example, 0.2 for the X value would place the
legend 1/5 across the screen from the left. A value of 0.2 for the Y direction would place the legend
1/5 up from the bottom of the Viewer. The placement uses the bottom left corner of the legend as a
reference.
Legend Command
11.9.4. Legend: Appearance Tab

11.9.4.1. Sizing Parameters
11.9.4.1.1. Size
The Size setting scales the legend height to a fraction of the Viewer height.
11.9.4.1.2. Aspect
The Aspect setting specifies the width of the color range bar.
11.9.4.2. Text Parameters

11.9.4.2.1. Precision
The Precision setting specifies the number of significant digits after the decimal place that the legend
can hold. You may also choose to display the numbers in a Fixed or Scientific format.
11.9.4.2.2. Value Ticks

The Value Ticks field holds the number of intervals that you want shown by the legend.
11.9.4.2.3. Font
The Font setting specifies a font for the interval labels.
11.9.4.2.4. Color Mode

The Color Mode setting specifies whether to use a User Specified color or the Default color.
11.9.4.2.5. Color
The Color setting specifies a color for the title and interval labels. You can click the color bar to browse
through predefined colors, or click the Color Selector icon and select a color from the Select color
dialog box.
11.9.4.2.6. Text Rotation

The Text Rotation setting specifies a value in degrees to rotate the text at (in a counterclockwise dir-
ection from horizontal).
11.9.4.2.7. Text Height

The Text Height setting specifies a value corresponding to the text height of the legend relative to the
Viewer size. You may enter a value between 0.005 and 0.1.
Note
When using a legend as the basis for quantitative analysis, you should ensure that lighting
is turned off for any objects colored by a variable. This will give you exact matches between
object colors and legend colors.
11.10. Instance Transform Command

Instance Transforms are used to specify how an object should be drawn multiple times. CFD-Post can
create Instance Transforms using rotation, translation, and reflection. For example, if you have a mesh
that contains one blade from a blade row that contains 51 blades, you would set Number of Passages
to 51. You could then choose to display any number of blades by setting Number of Graphical Instances.
To apply an Instance Transform to an object, select the Apply Instancing Transform check box on the
View tab for the object and select the transform from a list.
The following characteristics of instance transforms will be discussed:
• Default Transform Object (p. 214)
• Instance Transform: Definition Tab (p. 214)
• Instance Transform: Example (p. 216)
Note
There are several ways to insert an instance transform:
• From the menu bar, select Insert > Instance Transform.
• From the toolbar, click the Instance Transform icon.
11.10.1. Default Transform Object

By default, an Instance Transform called Default Transform (which is set to apply no instancing
by default) is applied to all objects where Instance Transforms are possible. As a result, editing the
definition of Default Transform will cause all plots and objects to be transformed (unless you
modify the View properties for a particular object). An example is available for applying Instance
Transforms. For details, see Instance Transform: Example (p. 216). Note that instancing is purely geometric
(in the Viewer). This means that quantitative calculations are carried out for the original geometry.
11.10.2. Instance Transform: Definition Tab

The Definition tab for an Instance Transform object is similar to the Instancing tab for a domain (see
Instancing Tab (p. 27)) and the Instancing tab for a turbo component (see Instancing Tab (p. 299)). (The
Definition tab for an Instance Transform object is different in that its Axis Definition settings and In-
stance Definition settings cannot be set from a results file.)
11.10.2.1. Instancing Info From Domain Check Box

Clear the Instancing Info From Domain check box to enable creating a custom Instance Transform
object. Selecting Instancing Info From Domain will ignore the application of the Instance Transform
inside the domain.
Instance Transform Command
11.10.2.2. Number of Graphical Instances

The Number of Graphical Instances setting specifies the number of copies to be made of the object
when it is transformed.
If the Instance Transform object is using more than one of the following check boxes, (Apply Rotation,
Apply Translation, and Apply Reflection/Mirroring) the order in which each segments are applied
are rotation, translation, then reflection.
11.10.2.3. Apply Rotation Check Box

Select the Apply Rotation check box if you want to apply a rotation.
11.10.2.3.1. Method
Option Description
Principal Rotates about a principal axis.
Axis
Rotation Rotates about a user-specified axis.
Axis
11.10.2.3.2. Axis
Axis is available only if the Principal Axis option is selected. The Axis setting specifies a principal
axis to rotate about.
11.10.2.3.3. From/To Fields

These settings are available only if the Rotation Axis option is selected. These settings create an
axis of rotation.
11.10.2.3.4. Full Circle Check Box

Select the Full Circle check box to uniformly distribute the copies around 360 degrees of rotation.
11.10.2.3.5. Determine Angle From

The Determine Angle From setting has the following options:
Option Description
Instances Splits 360 degrees into the amount of passages entered
in 360 and places a copy at each passage, if possible.
Value Evenly distributes copies from zero to the specified angle.
11.10.2.3.6. Number of Passages

Number of Passages is available only if the Instances in 360 option is selected. The Number of
Passages setting specifies a value for the number of passages in 360 degrees.
11.10.2.3.7. Passages per Component

Passages per Component is available only if the Instances in 360 option is selected. The Passages
per Component setting specifies a value for the number of passages per component.
11.10.2.3.8. Angle
Angle is available only if the Value option is selected. The Angle setting specifies the rotational angle.
11.10.2.4. Apply Translation Check Box

Select the Apply Translation check box if you want to specify a translation.
11.10.2.4.1. Translation
The Translation setting specifies a 3D translation.
11.10.2.5. Apply Reflection Check Box

Select the Apply Reflection check box to select a reflection method and direction.
Tip
A quick way to define a reflection for your case is to right-click the Wireframe near the
reflection plane and select Reflect/Mirror.
11.10.2.5.1. Method
Option Description
YZ Plane Specifies a reflection about the YZ plane.
ZX Plane Specifies a reflection about the ZX plane.
XY Plane Specifies a reflection about the XY plane.
From Plane Specifies a reflection about a user-specified plane.
11.10.2.5.2. X/Y/Z
These settings are available only if one of the principal plane options are selected. These settings specify
the distance along the normal axis to the plane to reflect by.
11.10.2.5.3. Plane
Plane is available only if the From Plane option is selected. The Plane setting specifies a plane from
the list.
11.10.3. Instance Transform: Example

The following example shows how coupling of rotation and reflection instancing can be used to simulate
reflection in two planes using a random geometry.
Instance Transform Command
The axis of rotation is defined using the Rotation Axis feature on the Rotation section of the Instance
Transform tab. An axis parallel to the z-axis was set. Rotation only was applied initially. An angle of
180 degrees was implemented.
The next step involves creating an XY plane (called Plane 1) at X= -1 and Z=1. For details, see Plane
Command (p. 156). After clicking to expand the Reflection/Mirroring submenu, reflection is applied on
Plane 1.
11.11. Clip Plane Command

A clip plane enables you to define a plane that hides all objects displayed in the Viewer that lie to one
side of the plane. For example, you could use an XY plane and clip it at Z=1 so that objects are visible
only where Z is less than or equal to 1 (or greater than or equal to 1 if the Flip Normal check box is
selected).
A clip plane will act on all objects in the Viewer, including the Wireframe, but will not affect other
functions such as calculations (that is, a calculation will still use the entire location, whether visible or
not).
Note
There are several ways to insert a clip plane:
• From the menu bar, select Insert > Clip Plane.
• From the toolbar, click the Clip Plane icon.
tree view.
Important
When a clip plane is coincident with regions, boundaries, or interfaces that are planes, the
results of a Save Picture command may not match what you see in the 3D Viewer (depending
on the orientation of the case). In this situation, set the Use Screen Capture check box.
Color Map Command
11.11.1. Clip Plane: Geometry

11.11.1.1.1. Method
Method has the same options and settings as for the Plane object, except for the From Slice
Plane option. For details, see Method (p. 156). From Slice Plane enables you to select a predefined
slice plane.
11.11.1.1.2. Slice Plane

Slice Plane is available only if the From Slice Plane option is selected. The Slice Plane setting
selects a plane to clip by.
11.11.1.2. Flip Normal Check Box

Select the Flip Normal check box to cut all objects in the negative normal direction. If the check box
is cleared, the Clip Plane cuts all objects in the positive normal direction.
Note
To enable/disable Clip Planes, you must use a Viewer shortcut menu command. For details,
see CFD-Post 3D Viewer Shortcut Menus (p. 78).
11.12. Color Map Command

To access the Color Map editor, from the menu bar select Insert > Color Map.
Note
The Transparency editor is similar to the Color Map editor, except that it controls the density
of a color, rather than the color itself. It is currently used only in conjunction with Volume
Rendering objects.
You can apply a color to the opaque color point to better visualize the transparency gradient
in the Preview area of the Transparency editor, but the color will not be used in the Viewer.
To access the Transparency editor, click the icon on the Volume Rendering editor.
The color map editor has the following controls:
Color Map Style

The Color Map Style controls whether the Color Map is a Gradient, which forms continuous bands of
colors between any number of “color points” that you set, or Zebra, which forms bands between only two
color points, using a number of divisions that you set with the divisions counter.
In gradient mode, all Color Map controls other than divisions are enabled; in zebra mode, Insert,
Delete, and Distribute are all disabled and the Position indicator is read-only (and reflects the
setting in the divisions indicator).
Preview
The Preview both shows the results of your edits and enables you to modify your color points. One color
point will always be longer than the others; this indicates the color point that you can drag with the mouse
or modify with the controls in the Color Point Properties area: the Color definition bar, the Transparency
slider, and (in gradient mode) the Position indicator.
You can navigate from one color point to the next by:
• Clicking a color point
• Clicking Next or Previous.
In gradient mode, you can insert a new color point by:
• Clicking Insert to add a color point mid way between the current color point and its neighbor.
• Clicking on the Preview bar to insert the color point and, if necessary, adjusting its location by typing
a value in the Position field.
Color
The Color control enables you to change the color of the active color point. When you click the color field,
it cycles through ten preset colors. To define any color, click the Color selector icon to the right of the
Color option and select one of the available colors.
Transparency
The Transparency slider enables you to control how opaque each color is.
Insert, Delete, Next, Previous, Distribute

The color point buttons control the number of color points, which color point is active, and the distribution
of color points. In Zebra mode, only the buttons that control the active color point are enabled.
Symbol Option Description

Insert Add a color point mid way between the
current color point and its neighbor
Delete Delete the selected color point
Previous Select the previous color point
Next Select the next color point
Distribute Evenly distribute the defined color points
Make available in other cases, Set as default

These settings control where the color map is stored; unless you specify otherwise, the color map you
define will be available only with the current file.
If you select Make available in other cases, the color map will be stored in your preferences file
when you click Apply.
Table Command
If you select Set as default, when you click Apply the color map will be stored in your preferences
file and will be the default color map for all future objects in all future files. For this reason Make
available in other cases will also be selected automatically.
Note
The default CFD-Post color map is not the same as the default Fluent color map. To use
the default Fluent color map for a particular locator (such as a contour):
1. Select File > Load Results and double-click the desired file.
2. Select the locator from the Insert menu.
a. On the General tab for the locator, set Color Map to Fluent Rainbow.
b. On the Render tab, clear the Lighting check box.
c. Make any other changes desired and click OK.
11.13. Variable Command

There are several ways to insert a variable:
• From the menu bar, select Insert > Variable.
• From the toolbar, click the Variable icon.
• In the CFD-Post workspace, click the Variables tab.
Each of these methods inserts a new variable and opens the Variables workspace. For details, see
Variables Workspace (p. 49).
11.14. Expression Command

There are several ways to insert an expression:
• From the menu bar, select Insert > Expression.
• From the toolbar, click the Expression icon.
• In the CFD-Post workspace, click the Expressions tab.
Each of these methods inserts a new expression and opens the Expression workspace. For details, see
Expressions Workspace (p. 54).
11.15. Table Command

The Insert > Table command opens a table for editing in the Table Viewer tab. In addition to that
method, you can also create a table as follows:
• From the toolbar, click the Create Table icon.
• In the Table Viewer tab, click the New Table icon.
Each of these methods inserts a new table under the Report object. To see the table in the report,
you must generate the report. For details, see Report (p. 33).
To learn how to work with tables, see Editing in the Table Viewer (p. 222).
11.15.1. Editing in the Table Viewer
Note
When multiple cases are loaded, the Default Case field enables you to specify which case
the table values apply to. If the cases are in case-comparison mode, you have the option of
creating a table that uses values from the differences in values between cases 1 and 2.
Changing the Default Case field removes all unsaved values and definitions from the table.
To enter data into a cell, select a cell and type in the information you want. To edit the current contents
of a cell in the cell itself (rather than in the cell definition field), double-click the cell.
The cell contents can be formatted with bold, italic, and underline fonts; left, center, and right justification;
word wrapping; font sizes; and text and background colors. Multiple cells can be merged into a single
larger cell to enable large items (for example, titles) to span multiple cells. For details, see Table 11.2: Table
Viewer Tools Toolbar (p. 224).
To perform a formatting operation on multiple cells, click in the upper-left cell of the group and, while
pressing Shift, click in the lower-right cell of the group. While the group is highlighted, toolbar operations
are applied to all cells in the group.
Numeric data, (that is, numbers alone, numbers with units, and expression results), can be formatted
to display in scientific or fixed notation with a specified number of significant digits.
Table contents can be cut (Ctrl+C) and pasted (Ctrl+V) into Microsoft Excel documents and vice versa.
11.15.1.1. Shortcut Menu

To access the shortcut menu for a table, type = into a cell and right-click the cell, or right-click the field
for the selected cell above the table. The shortcut menu has all of the commands listed in
Table 11.1: Shortcut Menus Toolbar (p. 223), plus an Edit submenu that has the standard editing com-
mands.
For faster expression entry, there is also a Shortcut Menus toolbar above the table with the following
items. Type = into the cell and click the given menu to display a variety of items that can be inserted
Table Command
automatically at the current cursor location. All, except Annotation, are also available in details view
for expressions.
Table 11.1: Shortcut Menus Toolbar
Type of Item to Description

Insert
Select from the following submenus:
• CFD-Post
Select from a list of predefined and user-defined

functions from CFD-Post to insert into the cell. For
details, see CFX Command Language (CCL) in
CFD-Post (p. 327).
• CEL
Select from a list of predefined CEL functions. For details,

see CEL Mathematical Functions in the CFX Reference
Guide.
Enables you to specify CFD-Post expressions or expressions

that you have created with the Expressions workspace. For an
example of using the Expressions workspace, see Expressions
Workspace: Example (p. 57).
Select from a list of existing variables to insert into the cell.
Select from a list of existing locations to insert into the cell.
Select from a list of mathematical constants to insert into the

cell.
Select from the following menu items/submenus:
• Time Step
Inserts the value of the current timestep.
• Time Value
Inserts the value of the current time value.
• File Name submenu
– Name
Inserts the name of the current results file, including

the extension.
– Path
Inserts the file path of the current results file.
Type of Item to Description

Insert
• File Date submenu
Select from a list of different date formats to insert into

the cell. The inserted value represents the date that the
file was created.
• File Time submenu
Select from a list of different time formats to insert into

the cell. The inserted value represents the time of day
that the file was created.
11.15.1.2. Expressions
Tables in CFD-Post have the ability to evaluate and display expression results and update those results
when variables and/or locations they depend on change.
To enter an expression, edit a cell and prefix a valid CFD-Post expression with an equals sign (=). For
example, you may enter the following into a cell:
=2*areaAve(Pressure)@inlet
When the focus leaves the cell, the table displays the evaluated result of that equation in the cell. When
selecting a cell containing an expression, the expression is displayed in the cell editor box immediately
above the table. You can edit the expression in the cell editor box. Alternatively, you can double-click
the cell and edit the equation from the cell itself. For details on how to enter common expressions and
functions quickly, see Shortcut Menu (p. 222).
If there is an error in evaluating the expression contained in a table cell, the cell will be colored red.
Units for expression evaluations that return a temperature will always be displayed in K or R. For details,
see Function Calculator.
The toolbar above the Table Viewer contains the following icons:
Table 11.2: Table Viewer Tools Toolbar
Icon Description
Creates a new table.
Opens the Load Table from file dialog box.
Tables can be loaded from files in two different formats:
• CFD-Post State Files (*.cst) - Loads the table CCL from the given state
file. If the file contains tables with names that already exist, numbers will
be added to the end of the names of the imported tables to differentiate
them from existing tables.
Table Command
Icon Description
• Comma Separated Values Files (*.csv) - Loads the values in the CSV file
into a new table. You can specify the table name in the Load Table dialog
box.
Opens the Save Table to file dialog box.
Tables can be saved to several formats:
• CFD-Post State (*.cst) - Saves the current table to a state file. Tables
saved in state files will maintain expressions and formatting and, when
reloaded, will exactly reproduce the original table.
• HTML (*.htm, *.html) - Saves the current table to an HTML file. Note
that the saved HTML table will contain expression results, and not the
expressions. All formatting will be converted to the HTML equivalent.
Word-wrapping is always on. The Save Table dialog box contains
additional formatting options including table title, caption, borders,
margins, spacing, and gridline visibility.
• Comma Separated Values (*.csv) - Saves the current table to a

CSV file. Note that the saved table will contain expression results, not the
expressions. No formatting information is saved to the file. The Save Table
dialog box provides the option to clear the output of trailing separators
for table rows that have fewer columns than other rows. If this option is
on, extra commas will appear on some lines so that all rows in the CSV
file will contain the same number of columns. This format can be directly
imported to Microsoft Excel.
• Text (*.txt) - Behaves identically to the CSV option, except that you
can specify the separator.
Edit operations for contents of cells: Cut, Copy, and Paste.
To select a rectangle of cells for an operation, click in the cell in the

upper-left corner, then Shift-click the cell in the lower-right corner.
The cells become highlighted and can be operated upon as a unit.
Font operations for text in cells: Bold, Italic, and Underline.
Text-alignment operations: Left, Center, and Right.
Makes all cells in the table wrap text.
Launches the Cell Formatting dialog box, where you can specify
scientific or fixed notation, the precision, and whether to show the
value or the units (at least one of the value or units must appear).
Changes the size of the font used in the cell.
Opens the Select color dialog box for setting the background color.
Opens the Select color dialog box for setting the text color.
Icon Description
Causes a cell to span rows or columns (Merge Cells) or reverses that
operation (Unmerge Cells).
Here is an example of formatting applied to a table:
Figure 11.1: Sample Table Formatting
To format the table shown above:
1. Cells A1-D1: Applied bold font, background color, and text centering. Manually resized cell widths individu-
ally.
2. Cell A1: Applied text wrapping and resized cell height manually.
3. Cells A2-D6: Right-justified text.
4. Cells A2-A3: Manually changed the font color.
Note
To perform a formatting operation on multiple cells, click in the upper-left cell of the group
and, while pressing Shift, click in the lower-right cell of the group. While the group is high-
lighted, toolbar operations are applied to all cells in the group.
11.16. Chart Command

Charts are graphs that use lines and/or symbols to display data. You can create charts that can be used
on their own or in reports.
The following characteristics of charts will be discussed:
• Creating a Chart Object (p. 227)
• Viewing a Chart (p. 244)
Chart Command
• Example: Charting a Velocity Profile (p. 245)
Note
When using the Turbo workspace to post-process a turbo-machinery case, several "Turbo
Charts" are created by default. For details, refer to Turbo Charts (p. 308).
11.16.1. Creating a Chart Object

To create and view a chart object:
1. Click Create Chart or select Insert > Chart.
The Insert Chart dialog box appears.
2. Enter a name for the new chart object.
3. Click OK.
The chart object appears under the Report heading in the tree view. A Details view appears for
the new chart object and the Chart Viewer takes focus.
4. Edit the chart settings as appropriate for each tab:
• Chart Details: General Tab (p. 227)
• Chart Details: Data Series Tab (p. 231)
• Chart Details: X Axis Tab (p. 234)
• Chart Details: Y Axis Tab (p. 237)
• Chart Details: Line Display Tab (p. 240)
• Chart Details: Chart Display Tab (p. 243)
5. Click Apply to see the results of your changes displayed in the Chart Viewer.
6. Optionally, on the Data Series tab click the Get Information on the Item icon to view summary data
for the current series.
7. Optionally, click Export to save the chart data in a Comma Separated Values (CSV) file. You can load the
values in the CSV file into external programs such as Microsoft Excel.
To see the chart in the report, you must generate the report as described in Report (p. 33).
11.16.1.1. Chart Details: General Tab

The General tab is used to define the chart type, the main title, and the report caption.
11.16.1.1.1. Type
Option Description
XY Plots X axis variable vs. the Y axis variable. XY charts use
polyline or line locators to plot values that vary in space.
Transient Plots an Expression (typically time) on the X axis and
or Sequence enables you to specify a variable to plot on the Y axis.
Transient or Sequence charts use expressions or a point
locator to plot the variation of a scalar value vs. time or
multi-configuration runs.
Histogram Plots the number of values or the proportion of values that
fall into each specified category.
11.16.1.1.2. Display Title: Title

The Title setting specifies a title for the Chart object. Clear the Display Title check box if you don’t
require a chart title.
11.16.1.1.3. Report: Caption

The Caption is the description of the Chart object that appears in the report.
11.16.1.1.4. Fast Fourier Transform

The Fast Fourier Transform check box can be selected only for Transient or Sequence charts. When
the Fast Fourier Transform check box is selected, the following options are available:
Modify Input Signal Filter

Enables you to select the signal filter to be Hanning (default), Barlett, Blackman, Hamming, or None.
For details, see Fast Fourier Transform (FFT) Theory (p. 229).
Subtract mean
Causes the mean to be subtracted from each value to better show the amplitude of the noise.
Note
This feature applies to all loaded files.
Full range of input data vs. Setting Min/Max Limits

You can choose to analyze the Full range of input data or to set Min and Max values. To get the range
for the Min and Max values, click Get range from FFT output .
Reference Values
Click Reference Values to display the Reference Values dialog box. There you can set the following values
(which will apply to all Fast Fourier Transform charts): Reference Acoustic Pressure, Length, Velocity,
and whether to Save as default.
Chart Command
11.16.1.1.4.1. Fast Fourier Transform (FFT) Theory
When interpreting time-sequence data from a transient solution, it is often useful to look at the data's
frequency attributes. For instance, you may want to determine the major vortex-shedding frequency
from the time-history of the drag force on a body recorded during a simulation, or you may want to
compute the frequency distribution of static pressure data recorded at a particular location on a body
surface. Similarly, you may need to compute the frequency distribution of turbulent kinetic energy using
data for fluctuating velocity components.
To interpret some of these time-dependent data, you need to perform Fourier transform analysis. The
Fourier transform enables you to take any time-dependent data and resolve it into an equivalent sum-
mation of sinusoids.
The CFD-Post FFT module assumes that the input data have been sampled at equal intervals and are
consecutive (in the order of increasing time).
The lowest non-zero frequency that the FFT module can pick up, , is given by , where
is the total number of samples, and is the sampling interval (or timestep size). If the sampled sequence
contains frequencies lower than this, these frequencies will be aliased into higher frequencies.
The highest frequency that the FFT module can pick up, , is given by . Note that
the floor function has been applied to to round it down to the nearest integer. Note that, when
is even, .
The value at zero frequency represents the mean value. The mean value can be taken out of the plot
by selecting Subtract mean check box.
11.16.1.1.4.1.1. Windowing in Fast Fourier Transforms
The discrete FFT algorithm is based on the assumption that the time-sequence data passed to the FFT
corresponds to a single period of a periodically repeating signal. Because in most situations the first
and the last data points will not coincide, the repeating signal implied in the assumption can have a
large discontinuity. The large discontinuity produces high-frequency components in the resulting
Fourier modes, causing an aliasing error. You can condition the input signal before the transform by
"windowing" it, in order to avoid this problem.
Suppose there are consecutive discrete (time-sequence) data that are sampled with a constant interval
:
(11.43)
Windowing is done by multiplying the original input data ( ) by a window function :
(11.44)
There are four different window functions:
Hamming's window:
(11.45)
Hanning's window:
(11.46)
Barlett's window:
(11.47)
Blackman's window:
(11.48)
These window functions preserve 3/4 of the original data, affecting only 1/4 of the data the ends.
11.16.1.1.4.1.2. Using Fast Fourier Transforms
The Fourier transform utility enables you to compute the Fourier transform of a signal, , a real-
valued function, from a finite number of its sampled points.
For a periodic set of sampled points, , the discrete Fourier transform expresses the signal as a finite
trigonometric series:
(11.49)
where the series coefficients are computed as
(11.50)
The previous two equations form a Fourier transform pair that enables you to determine one from the
other.
Note that when you vary from 0 to in Equation 11.49 (p. 230) or Equation 11.50 (p. 230), the fol-
lowing is true:
• and form a complex conjugate pair.
• The value at is unique and corresponds to zero frequency.
• When is even, the range of index corresponds to positive frequencies, and the range of
index corresponds to negative frequencies. The frequency at , called the Nyquist fre-
quency, is a unique value.
Chart Command
• When is odd, the range of index corresponds to positive frequencies, and the range of
index corresponds to negative frequencies. In this case, the Nyquist frequency does not
exist.
For the actual calculation of the transforms, the CFD-Post adopts the Fast Fourier transform (FFT) al-
gorithm, which significantly reduces operation counts in comparison to the direct transform. Specifically,
CFD-Post uses the FFT algorithm from the Intel Math Kernel Library. This FFT algorithm allows for the
processing of an N-point FFT where N can be even or odd.
11.16.1.1.5. Refresh Settings

Performing a refresh means re-reading files; therefore refreshing data from a series of files (such as
transient files for a transient case) is potentially a time-consuming operation. If necessary, CFD-Post
automatically performs a refresh of all charts when printing a chart and when generating or refreshing
a report. At other times, you have control over when to perform a "refresh" of the data. When the
General tab is set to create an XY transient or sequence chart, settings appear that control how charts
are refreshed:
Refresh chart on Apply

Causes only the currently displayed chart to be refreshed when you click Apply.
Refresh all charts on Apply

Causes all loaded charts to be refreshed when you click Apply. This is provided as a convenience; it enables
you to work on a series of charts, refreshing all of them when you are done your editing (rather than
clicking Apply on each chart individually).
11.16.1.2. Chart Details: Data Series Tab

The Data Series tab is used to specify the data series to be plotted and to define the lines and fills
used on the chart.
11.16.1.2.1. Name Controls
The Name list is where you add and delete data series on the chart. You can also click Statistics to
display a dialog box that shows statistics about the data set. You perform all of these tasks by clicking
the icons beside the list area (New, Delete, Statistics). All the icons become enabled after you create an
initial series; in addition, all functions are available when you right-click a data series name.
11.16.1.2.2. Data Source

The fields in the Data Source area become enabled after you create an initial series.
• For a General > XY chart or a General > Histogram chart, choose a Location or File or Monitor Data to
define the source of the data for the series you are creating. A typical location would be a line or a streamline;
a typical data file would be a CSV file.
• For a General > XY - Transient or Sequence chart, a typical Location would be a point. However, such a
chart will also accept a File or Expression or Monitor Data as the data source. For example, you could use
an expression to plot areaAve(Temperature)@Outlet as a function of time.
11.16.1.2.2.1. Data Source File Format
The data delimiter in a data source file is usually a comma.1
Files that use commas as delimiters have at least one section of numerical data. If there is only one
section of data, then the name specification (consisting of the [Name] header and the line that follows
it) and the [Data] header are optional, but not independently; they must either be both included or
both omitted. If there is more than one section of data, the name specification and [Data] header
are both required. The line that follows the [Data] header is always optional; omitting it causes default
variable names and default units to be assumed. An example section follows:
[Name]
Velocity Profile
1
There are two exceptions to this: if the extension of the file is .xy, then the delimiter is a tab character; If the extension of the file
is .out, then the delimiter is a space character.
Chart Command
[Data]
Z [ m ],Velocity [ m s^-1 ]
-0.10000000,4.53693390
-0.09797980,4.54303789
-0.09595960,4.54667473
-0.09393939,4.54347515
-0.09191919,4.54762697
...
The line following the keyword [Data] may specify the variable names and units for each column of
numerical data that follows. If variable names are not provided, default names are applied.
This is the same format as the export file in CFD-Post. It is also the same format that CFX-Solver Manager
uses when exporting lines from a chart. Data exported from these sources can be imported directly into
CFD-Post to produce a chart line.
For Histograms, the second column is used as the variable data.
Note
When exporting histogram data, the Y Axis data (that is, the counts) will be stored in the
CSV file with the variable name "Count(Histogram Data)". The "(Histogram Data)" suffix is
required if this information is imported into CFD-Post because it indicates to CFD-Post that
this variable must be interpreted as histogram data and not as regular chart line data.
Note
If File is selected as the data source for a Transient or Sequence chart, and a Fast Fourier
Transform (FFT) is being calculated, then the data in the file must be in particular units:
• If the FFT X Function setting has a value of Strouhal Number, Octave Band Full or One
Third Full, the X Axis data in the file must have units of [s] (seconds).
• If the FFT Y Function setting has a value of Sound Amplitude, Sound Pressure Level,
A Weighted, B Weighted or C Weighted, then the Y Axis data in the file must have units
of [Pa] (Pascals).
11.16.1.2.3. File Variable Selection

The File Variable Selection settings are available when you are defining a data series from a file. They
indicate which data, within the selected file, is to be used to define the data series.
Section Name is used to select a section of data from the file. This setting does not appear if there is
only one section of data in the data source file.
X Axis Variable and Y Axis Variable specify which two columns of data are to be used to generate a
chart line.
11.16.1.2.4. Custom Data Selection Controls

The Custom Data Selection Controls settings are available when you are defining a data series from
a location or expression, with General > Fast Fourier Transform not selected.
When selected, the Custom Data Selection controls enable you to override the settings on the X Axis
and Y Axis tabs for each series individually. See Chart Details: X Axis Tab (p. 234) and Chart Details: Y
Axis Tab (p. 237) for more details on what each setting means.
You can also specify the use of Hybrid or Conservative values or to use the absolute value of data
points. For help on the use of Hybrid or Conservative values, see Hybrid and Conservative Variable
Values.
Other available settings depend on the chart type; see X Axis Data Selection (p. 234) for details.
11.16.1.2.5. Monitor Variable Selection

The Monitor Variable Selection settings are available when you are defining a data series from mon-
itor data or solution residuals.
Set Source to one of:
• Current Cases
Monitor data from all cases are included in the series, as separate lines. For example, if results files
StaticMixer_001.res and StaticMixerRef_001.res are loaded and the residual monitor
MAX P-Mass is selected for the series, then multiple lines will be generated, one for each results
file.
• File
Monitor data is taken from the file you specify. The allowed file types are .res, .mres, .bak, and
.mon.
X Axis Variable and Y Axis Variable specify which variables are to be used to generate a chart line.
Take absolute value of data points controls whether the values of data points are always positive.
Note
If a complete multi-configuration (.mres) run is loaded as a single case, only the monitor
data that is present in the last configuration will be added to the series.
11.16.1.3. Chart Details: X Axis Tab

The X Axis tab is used to set properties for all data series that do not have custom data selection (which
is set on the Series tab). The options available on the X Axis tab vary according to the General tab's
Type setting.
11.16.1.3.1. X Axis Data Selection

The Data Selection settings control which variable is used as the data source and how the data is
processed:
When General > Type is XY or Histogram, the Variable field can be set to any variable. Hybrid vs.
Conservative sets how conservation equations for the boundary control volumes are solved. See Hybrid
and Conservative Variable Values for details. Take absolute value of data points controls whether the
values of data points are always positive.
Chart Command
When General > Type is XY — Transient or Sequence, the Expression field can be set to ex-
pressions provided in CFD-Post or to expressions that you have defined. For example, you could use
this option to plot areaAve(Temperature)@Outlet as a function of time.
When General > Type is XY — Transient or Sequence and Fast Fourier Transform is selected,
you can define an X Function.
11.16.1.3.1.1. Specifying an X Function
The options for the X Function are related to the discrete frequencies at which the Fourier coefficients
are computed. You can apply the following specific analytic functions. Because the corresponding
definitions for the y-axis functions include contributions from both elements of a complex conjugate
pair (i.e. and ), definitions are provided for when is even, and when
is odd.
Frequency is defined as:
(11.51)
where N is the number of data points used in the FFT.
Strouhal Number is the nondimensionalized version of the frequency defined in the equation for
Frequency:
(11.52)
where and are the reference length and velocity scales. Note that you can set and
by clicking Reference Values on the General tab.
Fourier Mode is the index in
(11.53)
and/or
(11.54)
which represents the nth or kth term in the Fourier transform of the signal.
Octave Band Full is a range of discrete frequency bands for different octaves within the threshold of
hearing. The range of each octave band is double to that of the previous band (see Table 11.3: Octave
Band Frequencies and Weightings (p. 236)).
One Third Full is a range of discrete frequency bands within the threshold of hearing. Here the range
of each band is one-third of an octave, meaning that there are three times as many bands for the same
frequency range.
Table 11.3: Octave Band Frequencies and Weightings
Lower Freq. Center Freq. Upper Freq. dB dB dB

(Hz) (Hz) (Hz) A B C
11 16 22 -56.7 –28.5 -8.5
22 31.5 45 -39.4 -17.1 -3.0
45 63 90 -26.2 -9.3 -0.8
90 125 180 -16.1 -4.2 -0.2
180 250 355 -8.6 -1.3 0.0
355 500 710 -3.2 -0.3 0.0
710 1000 1400 0.0 0.0 0.0
1400 2000 2800 1.2 -0.1 -0.2
2800 4000 5600 1.0 -0.7 -0.8
5600 8000 11200 -1.1 -2.9 -3.0
11200 16000 22400 -6.6 -8.4 -8.5
11.16.1.3.2. Category Divisions

These controls are enabled when the chart type is Histogram.
If Category Divisions are set to Automatic, you are able to specify the Number of Divisions. If Category
Divisions are set to User Defined, you are able to specify the Division Values.
The Division Values field enables you to type points where you want to create histogram boundaries.
You can either enter user-defined category divisions by typing a comma-separated ordered list directly
into the Division Values field, or click More to open up an editor for the division values (which
includes the ability to set the values in a particular unit). If you use the editor, then the values do not
need to be entered in order as you will be offered the chance to sort the values when you close the
editor.
11.16.1.3.3. Axis Range

You can choose to Determine ranges automatically or to set Min and Max values. To get the range
for the Min and Max values, click Get range from existing chart .
The default X-axis scale is linear but can be set to be a Logarithmic scale. Select Invert Axis to reverse
the direction of the scale.
11.16.1.3.4. Axis Number Formatting

You can have axis numbers set automatically or choose the format yourself:
• If you select Determine the number formatting automatically, CFD-Post will change the formatting to
the one that best suits the data being plotted.
Chart Command
• If you clear Determine the number formatting automatically, you can choose between scientific notation
and fixed notation, and set the amount of precision.
11.16.1.3.5. Axis Labels

You can choose to Use data for axis labels, or to use a Custom Label.
11.16.1.4. Chart Details: Y Axis Tab

The Y Axis tab is used to define the characteristics of the Y axis of the chart you are going to produce.
For descriptions of many of the fields on this tab, see Chart Details: X Axis Tab (p. 234). Fields unique to
this tab are described below.
11.16.1.4.1. Y Axis: Data Selection

When the General tab is set to create an XY or an XY transient or sequence chart, the Data Selection
includes a Variable that you can set; you can also control whether the boundary data is Hybrid or
Conservative, and whether or not to take the absolute value of data points.
When the General tab is set to create a histogram, the Y axis Value can be:
• Count
When Count is selected, the display shows the number of values lying within each category,
or, if the Weighting is not set to None, the total weight within the category.
• Percentage
When Percentage is selected, the display is scaled to show the percentage of values or weights
lying within each category. The Percentage is calculated using all of the data on the selected
location, even if some of the data is not displayed because it lies outside of the selected category
boundaries. Hence the total Percentage shown in the selected categories may add up to less
than 100%.
The Weighting can be:
• None
• Geometrical
• Mass Flow
The weighting setting changes the shape of the histogram by removing mesh dependencies. For example,
if mesh density varies along a line, counts are biased towards areas of higher density; the Geometrical
setting removes that bias.
When the General tab is set to Fast Fourier Transform, a Y Function field appears where you
can choose one of the following settings. The definitions are provided for when is even, and
when is odd. The definitions include contributions from both elements of a complex
conjugate pair: and .
A Weighted, Sound Pressure Level (dB A)

This is the calculated sound pressure level weighted by the A-scale function to more closely approximate
the frequency response of the human ear. A-weighting is applied for loudness levels below 55 phons (55
dB at 1 kHz) and is the most commonly used weighting function. See Figure 11.2: A-, B-, and C-weighting
Functions (p. 238) for a graphical representation. This option is available only when X Function on the X-
Axis tab is set to Octave Band Full or One Third Full.
B Weighted, Sound Pressure Level (dB B)

This is the calculated sound pressure level weighted by the B-scale function. B-weighting is applied for
loudness levels between 55 and 85 phons, though it is rarely used. See Figure 11.2: A-, B-, and C-weighting
Functions (p. 238) for a graphical representation. This option is available only when X Function on the X-
Axis tab is set to Octave Band Full or One Third Full.
C Weighted, Sound Pressure Level (dB C)

This is the calculated sound pressure level weighted by the C-scale function. C-weighting is applied for
loudness levels above 85 phons and is commonly used for high-intensity sounds such as traffic studies.
See Figure 11.2: A-, B-, and C-weighting Functions (p. 238) for a graphical representation. This option is
available only when X Function on the X-Axis tab is set to Octave Band Full or One Third Full.
Figure 11.2: A-, B-, and C-weighting Functions
Power Spectral Density

This is the distribution of signal power in the frequency domain. Its value and units depend on the choice
of X Function. For the detailed spectral representation with all resolved harmonics (that is, when the X
Function option is set to either Frequency, Strouhal Number, or Fourier Mode), the power
spectral density ( ) has units of the signal magnitude squared over the frequency (for example, Pa2/Hz)
and is defined for the frequency as
(11.55)
where is the frequency step in the discrete spectrum, and is the Fourier mode power.
When is even, the Fourier mode power is computed as:
(11.56)
Chart Command
When is odd, the Fourier mode power is computed as:
(11.57)
For the octave analysis (that is, when the X Function option is set to either Octave Band Full
or One Third Full), the power spectral density has units of the signal magnitude squared (for
example, Pa2), and is defined for the frequency band as
(11.58)
where includes all of the Fourier modes belonging to the band.
Sound Amplitude
This is similar to the Sound Pressure Level (dB) option, and is a logarithmic conversion of the
pressure signal Magnitude into decibel units. The sound amplitude in dB, , is calculated for either a
Fourier mode or a frequency band using
(11.59)
Sound Pressure Level

This is the decibel level. For either general or acoustic data, when the sampled data is pressure (for example,
static pressure or sound pressure), the sound pressure level in dB, , is calculated in decibel units using
(11.60)
where is the power spectral density for either a particular Fourier mode or a particular frequency
band (see Equation 11.55 (p. 238) and Equation 11.58 (p. 239)). is the reference acoustic pressure,
with a default value of Pa.
Magnitude
This is the amplitude. For the detailed spectral representation with all resolved harmonics (that is, when
the X Function option is set to either Frequency, Strouhal Number, or Fourier Mode), the mag-
nitude ( ) is defined for the frequency in one of two ways.
When is even:
(11.61)
When is odd:
(11.62)
where, in both cases, is the mean signal value.
For the octave analysis (that is, when the X Axis Function is either Octave Band or 1/3-Octave
Band), the magnitude is defined for the frequency band as
(11.63)
where is calculated according to Equation 11.58 (p. 239).
11.16.1.5. Chart Details: Line Display Tab

On the Line Display tab you can set the Line Style to a variety of settings, including Automatic,
Solid, Dash, Dot, and so on.
You can select the Use series name for legend name check box to derive the name of the line (as it
appears in the legend) from the name of the series (as defined on the Data Series tab and, if more
than one case is loaded, from the case name). Alternatively, you can clear that check box and type in
a new Legend Name.
You can have CFD-Post Automatically generate Line Color or you can:
1. Clear the Automatically generate Line Color check box.
2. Optionally click the bar beside Line Color to cycle through 10 basic colors. Click the right-mouse button
to cycle backwards. Alternatively, you can choose any color by clicking Color selector to the right of
the Line Color setting.
3. Optionally change the selection for Line Type or FFT Line Type. For details, see Line Type and FFT Line
Type Options (p. 240).
Use the Symbols drop-down menu to place a graphic at every data point of the series. Use the Symbol
Color control to set a color for the graphic the same way you did for the Line Color.
Note
Line width and symbol size can be set on the Chart Display tab for the chart as a whole,
but cannot be set for each line individually.
11.16.1.5.1. Line Type and FFT Line Type Options

On the General tab, if Fast Fourier Transform is selected, the line type is controlled by the FFT Line
Type setting, otherwise, the line type is controlled by the Line Type setting; the applicable setting is
shown.
Both the FFT Line Type and Line Type settings have the following options:
• Lines (the default for non-FFT plots) - This line type is suitable for general plots.
Chart Command
Figure 11.3: Chart made with lines
• Bars (the default for FFT plots) - This line type is suitable for FFT plots.
Figure 11.4: Chart made with bars
• Steps - This line type is suitable for FFT plots.
Chart Command
Figure 11.5: Chart made with steps
11.16.1.5.2. Fill Area Controls

When Fill Area is selected, you can choose to have a fill color generated automatically or at all times
(Always On). The Automatic setting generates a fill when the chart's General tab's Type is set to
Histogram.
Note
Plotting fill areas for graphs that have multiple y values for a given x (such as streamlines)
does not produce useful results.
11.16.1.6. Chart Details: Chart Display Tab

The following sections describe the Chart Display tab.
11.16.1.6.1. Display Legend Area

The legend is the text that you entered in the Name field on the Data Series tab displayed beside the
line color that represents its data source.
When Display Legend is selected, the chart's legend appears, either Outside Chart or Inside Chart.
When Outside Chart is selected, set the Location and Justification of the legend:
• Location is Below or Above, Justification can be Left, Center, or Right.
• Location is Right or Left, Justification can be Top, Center, or Bottom.
When Inside Chart is selected, the legend is displayed in a box that appears on the chart. Use the X
Justification and Y Justification controls to locate a fixed-size box at standard locations, optionally
using Width/Height to change the size of the box. Alternatively, set X Justification and Y Justification
to None so that you can use Position and Width/Height to control the size and position of the box
exactly.
11.16.1.6.2. Sizes Area

Here you set the width of the line and the size of the symbol (if any) that you defined on the Line
Display tab. These sizes apply to all lines and all symbols (you cannot set sizes for individual lines or
symbols).
11.16.1.6.3. Fonts Area

Here is where you control the font type and size of the Title (which you defined on the General tab),
the Axes Titles, the Axes values, and the Legend.
Note
By default, the titles of the axes are derived from the variables used in the line definition
(not necessarily from the X Axis and Y Axis tabs because a transient chart that uses an ex-
pression and any chart that uses custom data selection will set the variables used directly).
You can override these default titles by going to the X Axis and Y Axis tabs, clearing the
Use data for axis labels check box, and typing in a Custom Label name.
The legend text is defined by default as a combination of the series definitions on the Series
tab and, when more than one case is loaded, the case names, but can be specified on a line-
by-line basis directly on the Line Display tab by clearing the Use series name for legend
name check box and typing in a Legend Name.
11.16.1.6.4. Grid Area

Here is where you configure the background grid (if any) and the thickness of its major and minor lines.
11.16.2. Viewing a Chart

After a chart object has been created, you can view it in the Chart Viewer tab after selecting it in the
tree view, or by including the chart in a report and viewing the report. For details, see Viewing the Re-
port (p. 47).
Chart Command
Time charts, which depict transient runs, have a Refresh button at the top of the page. When CFD-Post
determines that the chart requires updates, a note appears beside the Refresh button. Refreshes are
generally not automatic in order to ensure that you can make a series of changes without having to
wait through the update required by each change. However, time charts are updated automatically
when you print the chart, when a report is previewed, or when a report is generated (HTML/text).
Note
As time charts are compute-intensive, they are generated only after user action. And because
time chart data is not included in a state file, loading a state file will show an empty chart
until you click Apply in the chart details view or Refresh in the Chart Viewer.
11.16.3. Example: Charting a Velocity Profile

This example demonstrates how a polyline locator can be used to create a chart of a velocity profile.
1. Load the following results file, which is provided with a tutorial: StaticMixer_001.res.
2. Insert a plane (Insert > Location > Plane) and define its location using the point and normal method.
Define the point to be (0,0,0) and the normal to be (0,1,0) so that the plane is normal to the Y axis;
click Apply when you are done. For details, see Plane: Geometry (p. 156).
3. Insert a polyline (Insert > Location > Polyline) and define its location using the Boundary Intersec
tion method.
Set Boundary List to out and Intersect With to the plane you just created; click Apply when you
are done. For details, see Polyline: Geometry (p. 178).
4. Create a new chart by clicking Create chart .
5. In the Insert Chart dialog box, enter a name for the chart, and then click OK.
The details view for the chart appears.
6. On the General tab, set Title to Velocity Profile at Outlet.
7. Click the Data Series tab.
8. Set data source Location to the name of the polyline you just created.
9. Click the X Axis tab.
10. Set the x-axis Variable to X.
The x-coordinate direction is parallel to the polyline in this example so the plot shows a variable
profile across the outlet.
11. Click the Y Axis tab.
12. Set the y-axis Variable to Velocity.
13. Click Apply.
A chart showing Velocity versus X is displayed on the Chart Viewer tab.
11.16.4. Example: Comparing Differences Between Two Files

You can use Case Comparison mode with the Chart Viewer to automatically see the differences in
values between the two files:
1. Load the following results files, which are provided with a tutorial: elbow1.cdat and elbow3.cdat.
(Press the Ctrl key while selecting the two files, then click Open.)
Two viewports open, one with elbow1 and the other with elbow2 loaded.
2. Insert a line (Insert > Location > Line). Accept the default values for Geometry > Method, but set Line
Type to Cut. On the Color tab, set Mode to Variable and Variable to Temperature. Set the Range to
Local.
Click Apply when you are done.
3. In the Outline view, double-click Case Comparison. The Case Comparison details view appears. Select
Case Comparison Active and click Apply.
A third viewport opens that displays the temperature difference between the two cases.
4. Click Create chart .
5. In the Insert Chart dialog box, enter a name for the chart, and then click OK.
The details view for the chart appears.
6. On the General tab, set Title to Comparison of Temperatures in the Elbow.
7. Click the Data Series tab.
8. Set data source Location to the name of the line you just created.
9. Click the X Axis tab.
10. Set the x-axis Variable to X.
The x-coordinate direction is parallel to the polyline in this example so the plot shows a variable
profile across the outlet.
11. Click the Y Axis tab.
12. Set the y-axis Variable to Temperature.
13. Click Apply.
Figure Command
A chart showing Temperature versus X is displayed on the Chart Viewer tab. Three lines are there:
one for each of the sets of temperature values, and a third line that shows the difference between
those values.
Note
• You can change some of the properties of each line individually (including turning them on and
off ) by using the Line Display tab.
• The Difference line plots only the variable difference on the y-axis. For example, if you defined
a chart of Velocity (y-axis) against Pressure (x-axis), then the difference line will plot Velocity Dif-
ference against Pressure, not Velocity Difference against Pressure Difference.
11.17. Comment Command

You can create comment objects to include in the report. Comments are used to add text to a report
in the form of titles and paragraphs.
To define a comment object:
1. From the toolbar, click the Comment icon or select Insert > Comment.
The Insert Comment dialog box appears.
2. Enter a name for the comment object.
3. Click OK.
The Comment Viewer tab is displayed.
The comment object appears in the tree view, under the Report object.
4. Enter a heading and/or a paragraph of text.
A heading is entered into the Heading box. The Level setting controls the level of the heading
text in the report.
Paragraph text is entered into the large text box below the Heading box. Some Rich Text features
are supported using toolbar icons that appear at the top of the Comment Viewer tab. Pictures
can be inserted in the paragraph text area. External hyperlinks can be included in the paragraph
text, but will not work in the Report Viewer tab of CFD-Post. External hyperlinks will work when
the report is viewed in a web browser.
To see the comment in the report, you must generate the report. For details, see Report (p. 33).
11.18. Figure Command

You can create a figure (an image of the objects in the 3D Viewer) to include in the report. There are
two ways to create a figure:
• From the menu bar, select Insert > Figure.
• From the toolbar, click the Figure icon.
To see the new figure, you must open the Report Viewer and refresh or publish the report. For details,
see Report (p. 33).
Chapter 12: CFD-Post Tools Menu
The Tools menu offers access to quantitative analysis utilities, the animation editor, and the timestep
selector. The Command Editor dialog box is also available so that you can enter CFX Command Language
(CCL) directly.

12.1.Timestep Selector
12.2. Animation
12.3. Quick Editor
12.4. Probe
12.5. Function Calculator
12.6. Macro Calculator
12.7. Mesh Calculator
12.8. Case Comparison
12.9. Command Editor
12.1. Timestep Selector

For a transient results file, the Timestep Selector dialog box enables you to load the results for different
timesteps by selecting the timestep and clicking Apply.
When reading transient cases, CFD-Post re-reads and re-imports the mesh, if the transient file contains
them. This feature enables CFD-Post to support transient rotor/stator problems, as well as moving-mesh
cases.
When CFD-Post reads a Transient Blade Row results file, the variables are reconstructed automatically
and the flow solution time is taken to the last time step. By default, the Simulation Timestep option
is used in the Timestep Selector, and includes the timesteps used in the CFX-Solver. It is possible to
recreate this timestep list by selecting a different Timestep Sampling option, and the solution will be
accordingly reconstructed for these new time location.
Note
All variables will always appear in the variables list for all transient files, even if the transient
file does not contain some of the variables. If you have the Load missing variables from
nearest FULL timestep option selected (Edit > Options > Files > Transient Cases), then
the missing variable data will be loaded from the nearest full timestep. Otherwise, the data
will be colored with the undefined color in these cases.
The following list describes the column headings in the list box. Some of these columns also appear in
the Case Comparison editor in CFD-Post.
• The Configuration column indicates the configuration name as set in CFX-Pre. This column appears when
you have a multi-configuration (.mres) file loaded.
CFD-Post Tools Menu
• The # column displays the index number for the timestep. These values always begin at 1 and increase by
1.
• The Step column displays the timestep number, which is used for synchronization by time step. These values
always increase; because they are unique, they can be used in scripts.
For most cases, the values in the Step column are the same as those in the Solver Step column.
However, if you have a multi-configuration case or a case with run history, loaded using the Load
complete history as: A single case option (described in Load Results Command (p. 91)), then the
Step is calculated to give a unique, increasing value through all the configurations. It differs from
index because it can maintain a consistent value even though (for example) some transient files (.trn)
that were present when the run completed are no longer available. (For example, suppose that a
case has transient files at three timesteps and these appear in CFD-Post as steps 1, 2, and 3. If you
delete the middle transient file, CFD-Post will show entries in the timestep selector at steps 1 and 3,
but not 2. If a script was loading step 3, it will load the same results as previously.) Note, however,
that if an entire results file (.res) that is referenced by the multi-configuration results file (or the run
history) is no longer available, Step cannot maintain a consistent value for the remaining entries in
the timestep selector. For example, if you load just Step 10, you will not necessarily get the same
results loaded at the same timestep as you would have if you had loaded Step 10 before you deleted
the .res file.
• The Solver Step column displays the solver timestep or outer iteration number. In multi-configuration cases,
the solver step may not always increase across different cases and may not be unique.
Solver Step can be used in expressions. Timestep-related expressions such as Current Time Step and
Accumulated Time Step refer to the Solver Step.
• The Time [s] column shows the real time duration corresponding to the timestep. The units are always
seconds.
• The Type list displays the Partial or Full results file corresponding to that timestep.
• The Phase column appears for transient blade row cases. For details, see Using the Timestep Selector with
Transient Blade Row Cases (p. 251).
• The Crank Angle column appears for internal combustion engine simulations. It displays the crank angle
at each associated time step. The crank angle is calculated by multiplying the time by the rotation speed of
the crank.
The following icons/commands appear on the right side of the dialog box and/or the shortcut menu
accessible by right-clicking on a timestep in the list box.
Icon/Command Description
Switch To Selects the timestep. Same as double-clicking the timestep.
Opens the Add Timestep Files window, which enables you
Add timesteps to select one or more results files and load them into the
memory.
Only applies when there are added timesteps. This
Delete command enables you to delete added timesteps from the
timestep selector.
Timestep Selector
Icon/Command Description
Automatically animates the timesteps using Quick
Animate Animation mode. For details, see Animating
Timesteps (p. 255).
12.1.1. Adding Timesteps

After you load a results file, the Timestep Selector dialog box shows the set of timesteps from that
file. You can add to the set by clicking Add Timesteps and selecting a file of type res, bak, or trn,
or a directory containing files of type trn.
Select Ignore duplicate timesteps to avoid loading duplicate timesteps when loading a new file or
directory. If this option is not selected, duplicate timesteps will appear at the end of the list, and will
be given a unique timestep number.
Note
Adding timesteps to steady-state runs that contain particle tracks causes particles to be dis-
played up to the current time (which is zero for steady-state runs). To see the full particle
track:
1. Open the particle track in question for editing.
2. On the Geometry tab, set Limits Option to User Specified and End Time to the maximum
time value for the simulation.
12.1.2. Using the Timestep Selector with Transient Blade Row Cases
The Timestep Selector shows discrete timesteps based on the Timestep Sampling option selected.
Unlike traditional transient simulations, these discrete timesteps do not represent transient files but
time locations where the compressed data is evaluated using Fourier Coefficients from the results file
(For more information, see CFX-Solver Output File (Transient Blade Row Runs) in the CFX-Solver Manager
User's Guide). These evaluated solutions do not attempt to reproduce the transient iterative process
towards a steady periodic behavior. However, they are evaluated from the start of the transient run to
facilitate comparisons to traditional transient calculations.
CFD-Post Tools Menu
For transient blade row cases, the Timestep Selector has an extra column, Phase, and a new sampling
control (Timestep Sampling):
• The Phase values are based on the common period.
• The Timestep Sampling options are:
Simulation Timestep (default)

The timestep list (and hence phase position list) is obtained from the results file. (Default)
Uniform
You can specify the number of timesteps per phase period (# of Timesteps per Phase). The timestep
list shows the appropriate number of divisions for each phase period that is listed in the results file. Note
that you cannot control which phase periods are available.
Value List
You can create a custom timestep list based on a set of Phase Positions that you provide.
The listing of timesteps changes as the Timestep Sampling options are changed. When you click Apply,
these changes are set appropriately. The selected timestep will be automatically updated to the closest
phase position in the new timestep list.
Tip
For an overview of working with transient blade row cases, see Transient Blade Row Postpro-
cessing (p. 115).
Animation
12.1.3. Multiple Files

When multiple files are loaded, they appear on separate tabs on the top of the Timestep Selector
dialog box. The Sync Cases setting is available to synchronize the cases in the following ways:
• Off
The Off option causes each set of results to be independent in terms of the selected timestep.
• By Time Step
The By Time Step option causes each set of results to switch to “match” the timestep you select
for any set of results. All sets of results are therefore synchronized by timestep. The Match setting
controls the matching criterion. The Same Step option causes results with identical timesteps to
be synchronized, and results without identical timesteps to remain at their current timestep. The
Nearest Available option causes the closest timestep to be selected for each set of results if
there is not an exact match.
• By Time Value
The By Time Value option causes each set of results to switch to "match" the time value you select
for any set of results. All sets of results are therefore synchronized by time value. The Match setting
controls the matching criterion. The Same Value option causes results with identical time values
to be synchronized, and results without identical time values to remain at their current time value.
The Nearest Available option causes the closest time value to be selected for each set of results
if there is not an exact match. The remaining Match options enable different degrees of matching;
they are: Within 1%, Within 5%, and Within 10%.
• By Index
The By Index option causes each set of results to switch to "match", as closely as possible, the index
number you select for any set of results. All sets of results are therefore synchronized by index.
• By Crank Angle
The By Crank Angle option is only available when multiple internal combustion engine simulations
are loaded. It causes each set of results to switch to "match" the crank angle you select for any set
of results. All sets of results are therefore synchronized by crank angle. The Match setting controls
the matching criterion. The Same Value option causes results with identical crank angles to be
synchronized, and results without identical crank angles to remain at their current crank angle. The
Nearest Available option causes the closest crank angle to be selected for each set of results
if there is not an exact match. The remaining Match options enable different degrees of matching;
they are: Within 1%, Within 5%, and Within 10%.
Note
For Transient Blade Row cases, Timestep and Index are the same. Hence, timestep sync By
Time Step and By Index are identical options.
12.2. Animation
There are the following types of animation:
CFD-Post Tools Menu
• Quick Animation (p. 254), which is a means to automatically sweep objects across their defined range.
• Timestep Animation (p. 256), in which the animation is created by stepping through available timesteps.
• Keyframe Animation (p. 257), in which you define the start and end points of each section of animation using
keyframes, then link these end points together by having CFD-Post create a number of intermediate frames.
Selecting Tools > Animation produces the Animation dialog box, where you can choose the type of
animation you want. The animation options are described in the following sections.
12.2.1. Quick Animation

The Quick Animation option in CFD-Post provides a means to automatically sweep objects across their
defined range to visualize the data throughout the domain. Planes, isosurfaces, turbo surfaces, streamlines,
and particle tracks can all be animated with the Quick Animator.
To activate the Quick Animator, right-click an object in the 3D Viewer and select Animate, or open
Tools > Animation and select Quick Animation.
Use the slider to select the number of frames per animation loop. The more frames you add, the more
positions the animating object will go through. The number of frames increases logarithmically as you
move the slider toward the Slow end.
You can animate as many objects, of any type, as you want. Just select the objects in the list and click
Play ; all selected objects will animate.
To stop an animation in progress, click Stop . The objects will return to the state they were in before
the animation began.
You can specify a number of repetitions (raise the Repeat forever button to enable the Repeat
field).
You can create an animation in any of a variety of formats by selecting the Save Movie option, specifying
the Format, and providing a filename. Select the Options button to select video creation and quality
options, just as for keyframe animations.
Note
The Windows Media Video (WMV), AVI, and MPEG4 format options all use MPEG-4 encoding,
so you will need a player that supports MPEG-4 to view animations in those formats.
12.2.1.1. Animating Planes

An animated plane will be shifted in a direction normal to its surface.
If the Bounce option is selected (default), the plane will move to the positive limit, and then in reverse
to the negative limit, and then repeat, moving to the positive limit again. If the Loop option is selected,
the plane will move to the positive limit, and then jump to the negative limit (in one frame), and then
start moving to the positive limit again.
Animation
Depending on the shape of the domain relative to its bounding box and the plane orientation, the
animating plane may disappear for a number of frames at the ends of its ranges.
12.2.1.2. Animating Isosurfaces

Isosurface value is modified to traverse through the entire variable range.
If the Bounce option is selected (default), the isosurface value is increased to its maximum value, and
then decreased to its minimum value, and repeated. If the Loop option is selected, the isosurface value
is increased to its maximum value, then set to its minimum value (in one frame), and then increased
to its maximum value again.
12.2.1.3. Animating Turbo Surfaces

Depending on the surface type, Span, Streamwise Location or Theta value will be modified
to sweep through its respective range.
Note
Quick animation will not work if a Turbo Surface is defined using the Cone option.
12.2.1.4. Animating Streamlines and Particle Tracks

Streamlines and Particle Tracks symbols are shifted along the lines.
By default, the symbol shape, interval, and size are overridden by the animation routines. If you want
to change these settings, click the Options… button. To use symbol settings from the original object,
clear the Override Symbol Settings check box.
The Spacing option specifies the interval at which to start a new batch of symbols. For example, with
a spacing of 0.6, the symbols animating on the object will move 60% of the way along the lines, at
which point another group of symbols will start at the beginning of the line. With a spacing of 1.0, all
symbols will travel to the end of their lines before a new group of symbols starts at the beginning.
12.2.1.5. Animating Timesteps

Timestep animations play from the first to the last, and then repeat from the beginning.
Unlike other quick animations, Timestep animation does not automatically start when selected from
the Timestep Selector, you need to click Play. This gives you an opportunity to configure the animation,
which takes longer to load than other types of quick animations.
Note that the Bounce setting and the Frame Count (fast/slow) setting have no effect on Timestep an-
imations.
12.2.1.6. Animating Mesh Deformation Scaling

The Deformation scaling factor is animated from Undeformed to the current scaling factor. If the current
scaling is set to Undeformed, the animation goes from Undeformed to True Scale.
CFD-Post Tools Menu
12.2.2. Timestep Animation

The Timestep Animation option enables you to create an animation by stepping through timesteps,
allowing you to easily animate results.
In addition to some of the standard buttons such as Play and Stop on the Animation Dialog Box (p. 258),
the Timestep Animation option also uses these buttons:
• , go back one timestep.
• , go forward one timestep.
The Control By option determines which variable will be available to define the extents of the animation.
There are 3 options:
• Timestep: Uses timesteps to define the animation. You can use the Timestep Selector (p. 249) ( ) to select
specific timesteps.
• Time: Uses time to define the animation, and is only available for transient simulations.
• Crank Angle: Uses crank angle to define the animation, and is only available for IC Engine simulations.
Select Specify Range for Animation to specify the start and end points of the animation (based on
the variable chosen for Control By), otherwise CFD-Post will animate every timestep available.
You can expand the Advanced Frame Selection Controls panel if you want more control over which
timesteps will be used to create the animation. The options are dependent on the case:
• All Timesteps In Range: Uses every timestep available to create the animation between the
specified range (or every timestep in CFD-Post if no range has been specified).
• Specified Number of Frames: Enables you to specify the # of Frames and also their Spacing.
You can space the frames by Equal In Timestep, Equal In Time (for transient cases), or Equal
In Crank Angle (for IC Engine cases). When using this option, CFD-Post creates the animation using
the start and end points of animation (either user specified or, by default, every timestep) and divides
the animation according to the# of Frames. CFD-Post then creates the animation using the timesteps
that are nearest to the division points (be they based on timestep, time, or crank angle depending on
the Spacing option). The result may include duplicate timesteps if the specified frame interval is
smaller than the interval between the available timesteps. These will not be seen when viewing the
animation in CFD-Post but will exist in any generated video file.
• Specified Time Interval: Only available for transient simulations. Frames are included at the
specified Interval between the start and end points of the animation. Similar to the Specified
Number of Frames option, CFD-Post creates the animation using the timesteps nearest to the time
values generated using the specified interval. The result may include duplicate timesteps if the specified
frame interval is smaller than the interval between the available timesteps. These will not be seen when
viewing the animation in CFD-Post but will exist in any generated video file.
• Specified Crank Angle Interval: only available for IC Engine simulations. Uses the same
behavior as Specified Time Interval except that it uses the crank angle variable instead of
time variable.
Animation
• Specified Timestep Interval: Uses the same behavior as Specified Timestep Interval
except that it uses the timestep variable instead of the time variable.
You can specify a number of repetitions (raise the Repeat forever button to enable the Repeat
field).
You can create an animation in any of a variety of formats by selecting the Save Movie option, specifying
the Format, and providing a filename. Select the Options button to select video creation and quality
options, just as for keyframe animations.
12.2.3. Keyframe Animation
Note
The Windows Media Video (WMV), AVI, and MPEG4 format options all use MPEG-4 encoding,
so you will need a player that supports MPEG-4 to view animations in those formats.
In CFD-Post, you can make animations based on keyframes. Keyframes define the start and end points
of each section of animation. Keyframes are linked together by drawing a number of intermediate
frames, the number of which is set by the # of Frames field in the Animation dialog box.
The basic approach to creating an animation sequence is to configure the problem in a particular state
and then save this state as a keyframe. Next, change one or more aspects of the problem state. For
example, change the viewer orientation by rotating the viewer object. You can then save this state as
a second keyframe.
Animations are created by linearly interpolating the change in state of the viewer position between
keyframe states. By default, 10 frames are created between keyframe states, but this is easily adjustable.
If the camera position changes between keyframes, the view is interpolated between the two positions
at each frame.
Every option and button that is accessible when Animation is active will increment by one linearly for
each of the frames between the two states. For example, if one keyframe has 10 contour levels, and
the next has 20 contour levels, then the number of contour levels will increment by one for each of
the ten frames between the two states. Objects that are binary in state are toggled at the end of the
keyframe sequence (for example, the visibility of an object). Animations can also be created using the
different timesteps in a transient run.
Note
If you have 2 keyframes with 10 frames between them, there are a total of 11 steps from
one keyframe to the next.
12.2.3.1. Creating an Animation

The basic steps to creating an animation are as follows:
1. Once you have manipulated the user interface into a chosen start position, click New to set the current
state as Keyframe 1.
CFD-Post Tools Menu
2. The keyframe becomes visible in the Keyframe Creation and Editing window.
3. Change the viewer and/or object parameters to obtain the second required state and click New to
create Keyframe 2.
4. When you click a keyframe to highlight it, the other options to the right of the keyframe list become active.
5. To display the highlighted keyframe in the viewer, click Edit Keyframe or double-click the keyframe
itself. To apply changes in the viewer to the highlighted keyframe, click Set Keyframe . If more than 2
keyframes exist and you want to change their order, you can move a Keyframe up and down by clicking
on the blue arrows. To delete a keyframe, click Delete .
6. To set the number of intermediate interpolated frames, click a keyframe and set the value in the # of
Frames box.
After a second keyframe has been created, additional playback options are made available.
7. The looping option enables you to specify whether you want the animation to play in one direction during
each repeat or play forwards and backwards. For example, selecting Repeat of 3 on the Loop setting will
play the animation three times, jumping from the last Keyframe back to the first at the end of the first
two cycles. Selecting Bounce for the same number of repeats will cause the animation to play forwards,
and then backwards before playing forwards once more.
With the Repeat option, you specify how often the animation repeats before stopping. By default
the Repeat forever button is selected, so the animation will repeat continuously until you click
Stop .
8. The Animate Camera feature toggles whether the camera position is moved (interpolated) with the an-
imation.
If it is switched off, all objects, except for the camera positions, are animated.
12.2.3.2. Animating Expressions

There is a limitation with respect to the animating of expressions. If the value of a parameter of an object
is set to an expression, that expression is evaluated at the keyframes, but those values are not interpolated
to obtain values at the frames between the keyframes. Thus, after the value of the parameter is determ-
ined for the first keyframe, that value does not change for the intermediate frames until it is recalculated
at the next keyframe, which causes the animation to be unexpectedly discontinuous.
12.2.4. Animation Dialog Box

The following is a general explanation of the icons in the Animation dialog box:
Icon Description Icon Description

Create a new keyframe Go to beginning
Edit a keyframe Go to previous keyframe
Animation
Icon Description Icon Description

Set the keyframe Go to previous frame
Move the keyframe up Go to next frame
Move the keyframe down Go to next keyframe
Delete the keyframe Go to end
Load animation state Play forward
Save animation state Stop the animation
More animation options Repeat forever
12.2.4.1. Animation Options Dialog Box

The Animation Options dialog box is opened by expanding More animation options at the bottom
of the Animation dialog box, then clicking Options.
12.2.4.1.1. Animation Speed

The Animation Speed settings enable you to scale the animation to speed it up or slow it down without
having to manually adjust the number of frames between keyframes in the animation.
The Approximate Animation Time is calculated with the following information: total number of frames
in the animation, the number of repetitions, the frame rate (regardless of whether you are saving to a
movie or not), and any animation speed adjustments.
Selecting an animation speed of Normal does not scale the animation by any factor.
Selecting an animation speed of Slower slows down the animation by adding sufficient additional
frames to achieve the specified factor. Selecting Generate more frames, spread evenly
automatically and transparently adds additional frames between keyframes. You will see the effect of
this the next time you play the animation. This results in higher quality animations, but will take longer
to compute because of the additional frames to interpolate. Selecting Duplicate frames when
saving movie duplicates existing frames when generating the final movie output. The effect of this
will be visible only when playing back the movie; you will see no effect when playing the animation in
CFD-Post. This option is faster, but the quality of the movie may suffer: it may look a little jerky.
Selecting an animation speed of Faster speeds up the animation by removing sufficient frames to
achieve the specified factor. Selecting Generate fewer frames, spread evenly automatically
and transparently removes some of the frames between keyframes. You will see the effect of this next
time you play the animation. The fewer frames between keyframes will be interpolated smoothly, as if
you had reduced the number of frames manually. Selecting Skip frames when saving movie
skips existing frames only when generating the final movie output. The effect of this will only be visible
when playing back the movie file; you will see no effect when playing the animation in CFD-Post. This
option is slower because all frames will be played in CFD-Post, but only some of the frames will be used
to generate the movie.
CFD-Post Tools Menu
12.2.4.1.2. Transient Case

The Transient Case setting is effective only for transient simulations and controls the way in which
timesteps are selected. A particular frame is calculated. Sequential Interpolation evenly distrib-
utes frames over each transient output file. Timestep Interpolation evenly distributes frames
based on the timestep number associated with each transient output file. TimeValue Interpolation
evenly distributes frames based on the time value associated with each transient output file.
12.2.4.1.3. Print Options

12.2.4.1.3.1. Image Format
Select either a JPEG or PPM format for creation of the movie.
12.2.4.1.3.2. Use Screen Capture
By default, all image files are created using an internal (software-based) rendering engine. In some
situations, it is desirable to create an exact copy of the screen image, as rendered by the graphics
hardware on the computer. This is possible by selecting the Use Screen Capture toggle. For very
complex images, this option can be significantly faster.
12.2.4.1.3.3. White Background
Toggles between a white/black background.
12.2.4.1.3.4. Enhanced Output (Smooth Edges)
Enables you to select higher quality output for the generated images.
12.2.4.1.3.5. Image Size
Enables you to specify the resolution of the resulting movie. By default, 640 x 480 is selected, but
you can select any of the values in the drop-down list, including NTSC or PAL standard resolutions, or
HD resolutions. You can also select Custom to specify the pixel resolution in the Width and Height
fields, or select Use Screen Size and specify a scale factor in the Scale (%) field.
12.2.4.1.3.6. Tolerance
Controls the amount of depth calculated for the creation of an image, where smaller values represent
more accurate images. The benefit of relatively high values is that less processing is required. However,
if the Tolerance value is too high (for instance, a value of 1), the back faces in an image may be displayed
on top of near faces.
12.2.4.1.4. Advanced Tab

12.2.4.1.4.1. Save Frames As Image Files
If you have selected Save Movie (see Quick Animation (p. 254)), selecting Save Frames As Image Files
will prevent the deletion of the animation frame files from the temporary directory, where they are
stored by default.
Animation
12.2.4.1.4.2. Output To User Directory
Selecting this option enables you to specify where you want the animation files to be saved by entering
a path in the Directory field.
12.2.4.1.4.3. Frame Rate
The rate (in frames per second) at which the movie will be generated. The movie viewer may also dictate
the playback rate.
12.2.4.1.4.4. Quality
Select a Quality from: Highest, High, Medium, Low, or Custom.
With the Custom setting, you may specify the Variable Bit Rate by clearing the Variable Bit Rate
toggle and entering a bit rate. Reduce the Bit Rate value to lower the file size (and the file playback
quality).
12.2.4.1.4.5. Don't Encode Last MPEG Frame
A single cycle of an animation loop starts and ends at the same frame. If you repeat a loop, that frame
is encoded twice at the end of each cycle, leading to a brief pause at that point in the animation. Enable
this setting to smooth the playback of repeated loop animations.
12.2.4.2. Saving an Animation

When Save Movie is selected and a filename is specified, the animation is saved to a file when the
animation is played.
1. To select a file, click Browse and browse to a convenient location.
2. Enter the name of the file; the extension is taken from the setting of the Format field.
Note
The Windows Media Video (WMV), AVI, and MPEG4 format options all use MPEG-4 en-
coding, so you will need a player that supports MPEG-4 to view animations in those
formats.
3. Click Save to save the file.
12.2.4.3. Saving the Animation State (*.can file)

You can load or save your animation state as a .can (CFX Animation) file. It saves the current status
of all of the animation settings.
To open:
1. Browse to the correct directory to load the file.
2. Enter the name of the file or select it by using the mouse.
CFD-Post Tools Menu
3. Click Open.
To save:
1. Browse to a convenient directory to save the file.
2. Enter or select the name of the file.
3. You should save the file as a .can (CFX Animation) type.
Note
The animation state includes all of the keyframe settings for Keyframe Animation. Keyframe
settings capture the complete state of CFD-Post as it was when the keyframe was created.
• When running in stand-alone mode
If an animation file containing keyframes is loaded into CFD-Post, then the whole of the
current state will be overwritten, including which cases are currently loaded and which
results files were used to load them.
• When running under ANSYS Workbench
If an animation file containing keyframes is loaded into CFD-Post, then the whole of the
current state will be overwritten, except that cases loaded automatically by ANSYS Work-
bench (for example, from a Solution cell) will be retained with their current results. Files
that are referred to in the keyframe state that have not been loaded automatically by
ANSYS Workbench (for example, files used for creating User Surfaces or Chart Series or
results files loaded manually) may not be referenced correctly by the keyframe state if the
project has been saved under another name or restored from an archive. Loading animation
files created under another project or outside of ANSYS Workbench is not supported.
12.3. Quick Editor

The Quick Editor in CFD-Post lets you easily perform repetitious modifications to certain objects. You
can move planes along their normals to a specified location, set the value of isosurfaces, and set turbo
surface locations.
To specify a value, you can enter a number in the value editor, move the slider, or click left/right mouse
buttons to increment/decrement the value by a portion of the range. All changes are applied immediately;
there is no need to click Apply.
12.4. Probe
Probe in CFD-Post enables you to determine exact variable values at specified points within a domain.
1. Select Tools > Probe or click Probe , or right-click an object in the viewer and select Probe Variable.
The Probe tool appears at the bottom of the viewer.
2. You can manually specify the probe coordinates in the Probe At fields or select a point in the viewer.
Function Calculator
If Probe only this variable is not selected, the probe variable will be automatically chosen. (For
example, Temperature will be selected if you select a point on a plane that is colored by Tem
perature).
3. The probe variable can also be selected manually from the variable list.
4. If the desired variable does not appear in the list, select Other... and choose the variable from the Variable
Selector.
5. If Probe only this variable is selected, the probe variable will not change automatically when new co-
ordinates are entered.
6. Select Hide Probe tool to close the Probe tool.
The probed value appears in the box adjacent to the variable list and automatically updates every
time a new coordinate or probe variable is selected.
If you probe on a Point object, the probe position will use the position coordinates of the Point
object, not necessarily exactly where you chose.
Note
Probe locations will be selected more accurately when you zoom in tightly on the probe
location when picking in the viewer. The smaller the object in the viewer is, the less accurate
the picked location will be. A consequence is that you may get an undefined value on an
outer boundary because the point location will be slightly outside the domain. This problem
may disappear if you zoom in on the boundary and probe again. The Edit > Options > CFD-
Post > Interpolation Tolerance setting controls the distance by which a point can fall outside
a domain and still acquire data from that domain. For details, see Interpolation Toler-
ance (p. 137).
12.5. Function Calculator

The Function Calculator is used to provide quantitative information about the results. To use the
Function Calculator:
1. Select the function to evaluate from this list.
2. Choose the location for the calculation.
Only locations valid for the selected function will be available.
3. If multiple cases are open, choose which cases the Function Calculator should act upon.
4. If applicable to the function, choose a variable from the list.
For most functions, you can click in the Variable box and enter an expression. The expression can
include variables and any valid CEL (CFX Expression Language) function. For example, abs(Velo
city u) could be entered so that the calculation is performed using the absolute values of the
variable Velocity u. For details, see CEL Operators, Constants, and Expressions and CFX Expression
Language (CEL).
CFD-Post Tools Menu
User variables are also available. For details, see Variables Workspace (p. 49).
5. Select the direction if applicable to the function.
For some functions None is available.
For details, see Quantitative Function List.
6. If applicable to the function, select the appropriate fluid.
For multiphase results, you can select which fluids to use in your calculation for selected functions.
The All Fluids option can be selected to perform the calculation using all of the fluids in the results.
Note
When calculating mass flow rate for a Fluent file, the option Mixture gives the same
results as All Fluids. These two options appear because have different origins (Fluent
and CFD-Post respectively); you may choose either for your calculations.
Click Calculate to calculate the result. Choose whether to base the calculation on hybrid or conservative
values. Most quantitative calculations are best performed using conservative variable values. For details,
Note
If the function result is a temperature, and if C or K are selected as temperature units, the
result’s units will be K. If F or R are selected, the temperature will be returned in R.
This has an implication for calculations of temperature differences measured in C or F. Ex-

pressions are always evaluated in absolute temperature units (K or R) and then, if necessary,
the result is converted to the user-selected units. For example, if you evaluate 1[C] - 1[C],
internally it is evaluated as 274[K] - 274[K], which is 0[K] and is reported as such (with the
units forced to be in an absolute scale). In plots (where CFD-Post cannot force the units to
be K), the software cannot tell whether the result is a temperature difference or just the
temperature, so the result is converted to user-selected units (in this case, -273[C]) and a
value of -273 is reported in the plot legend. Thus when analyzing temperature differences,
set the preferred temperature units to be in an absolute scale (K or R) in the Edit > Options
> Units dialog box.
Important
There are some important limitations concerning calculations performed on CFX-4 results
files. For details, see CFX-4 Dump Files (p. 118).
12.5.1. Function Selection

The quantitative functions available from the Function Calculator in CFD-Post are integrated into CEL
and can be used in any expression.
The available quantitative functions are outlined in the table below.
Function Calculator
Function Name Operation

area Area of location
areaAve Area-weighted average
Note
Projected areaAve (for example,

areaAve_x) works as expected only for
surfaces that do not fold in the selected
direction. In extreme case, if the surface
is fully closed, the projected average
will result in a randomly large number,
as the projected area will be zero.
areaInt Area-weighted integral (can be projected to a

direction)
ave Arithmetic average
count Number of Nodes
countTrue Number of nodes at which the logical expression
evaluates to true.
force Force on a surface in the specified direction
forceNorm Length normalized force on a curve in the specified
direction
length Length of a line
lengthAve Length-weighted average
lengthInt Length-weighted integration
massFlow Total mass flow
Note
Mass flow convention for CFD-Post is

negative in the direction of the surface
normal.
massFlowAve Mass Flow-weighted average

massFlowAveAbs Mass Flow-weighted average with absolute values
of mass flow used in numerator and denominator
of formula for averaging
massFlowInt Mass Flow-weighted integral
maxVal Maximum Value
minVal Minimum Value
probe Value at a point
sum Sum over the calculation points
torque Torque on a surface about the specified axis
CFD-Post Tools Menu
Function Name Operation

volume Volume of a 3D location
volumeAve Volume-weighted average
volumeInt Volume-weighted integral
Note
The volumeInt function does not take

into account the porosity of the location
specified for porous domains. To include
the porosity effect in your calculation,
you need to manually multiply your
argument by:
• The Volume Porosity if you want to

evaluate the integral on the fluid side
• (1-Volume Porosity) if you want to

evaluate the integral on the solid side
For details on each of the functions listed in the table above, see Quantitative Function List in the CFX
Reference Guide.
12.6. Macro Calculator

The Macro Calculator is a facility for running macros, which are small programs that perform calculations
and generate various forms of output.
For example, there is a macro named Fan Noise that calculates the noise generated by a low-speed
fan. For this macro, you need to specify inputs such as the number of blades, the number of harmonics,
and the position of the observer.
Macro Calculator
The following topics are discussed:

12.6.1. Running Macros from the Macro Calculator
12.6.2. Macro Availability
12.6.3. Predefined Macros
12.6.4. User-defined Macros
12.6.1. Running Macros from the Macro Calculator

To run a macro (assuming that a case is already loaded):
1. From the menu bar, select Tools > Macro Calculator.
2. Select an appropriate macro from the drop-down list or open a CFD-Post session file that contains a user-
defined macro definition. (In the latter case, opening the file both loads the macro into the Macro Calcu-
lator and adds that macro to the drop-down list.)
3. Fill in the settings that appear in the Macro Calculator.
These settings serve to provide input data to the macro. Which settings are required depends on
which macro is selected.
4. Click Calculate to run the macro.
The macro might create objects, user variables, expressions, and other forms of output.
CFD-Post Tools Menu
Some macros produce an HTML-formatted report that can be viewed by clicking the View Report
button or by opening the Report Viewer.
12.6.2. Macro Availability

In the Macro Calculator, the Macro setting has a drop-down list that lists the available macros.
Some macros are predefined and are already in the list of available macros. Other macros (user-defined
macros) can be added to the list of available macros in any of the following ways:
• In the Macro Calculator, click Browse and select the macro file (a CFD-Post session file with extension
.cse). This will make the macro available for only the current session of CFD-Post.
• Add the pathname of your macro file (which has the file extension .cse) to environment variable CFX
POST_USER_MACROS, which is a comma-separated list of the pathnames of your macro files.
12.6.3. Predefined Macros

There are predefined macros that are readily available in the Macro Calculator. These predefined macros
are provided in the form of session files (file extension .cse) that are located in <CFDPOSTROOT>/etc/
and that are loaded via <CFDPOSTROOT>/etc/CFXPostInit.ccl upon starting CFD-Post.
Some macros produce an HTML-formatted report that can be viewed by clicking the View Report
button or by opening the Report Viewer.
The following sections describe the predefined macros:

12.6.3.1. Comfort Factors Macro
12.6.3.2. Cp Polar Plot Macro
12.6.3.3. Gas Compressor Performance Macro
12.6.3.4. Gas Turbine Performance Macro
12.6.3.5. Liquid Pump Performance Macro
12.6.3.6. Liquid Turbine Performance Macro
12.6.3.7. Fan Noise Macro
12.6.3.1. Comfort Factors Macro
The Comfort Factors macro can be used to calculate values for Resultant Temperature and
Mean Radiant Temperature in HVAC simulations.
In order to use the macro, the velocity and temperature variables are required. In addition:
Macro Calculator
• If Radiation Transfer is set to Surface to Surface then variable Wall Irradiation Flux is re-
quired.
• If Radiation Transfer is set to Participating Media then variable Radiation Intensity is required.
For CFX cases, the Radiation Transfer selection should match the radiation transfer mode used in the
CFX-Solver. For non-CFX cases, the selection should depend on which radiation variables are available.
Variables Resultant Temperature and Mean Radiant Temperature are created using the
values of expressions resultTemp and meanTemp, respectively. These expressions are visible on the
Expressions tab.
Note
As an alternative to calculating comfort factors in CFD-Post, the comfort factors may be cal-
culated during the solution process; this would be required, for example, when the model
simulates a ventilation system in which the control system depends dynamically on derived
comfort factors.
Note
For more information regarding variables Wall Irradiation Flux and Radiation
Intensity, which may be used by the macro, see Variables Relevant for Radiation Calcula-
tions in the CFX Reference Guide.
12.6.3.2. Cp Polar Plot Macro
The Cp Polar macro produces a polar plot of the pressure coefficient (Cp) along a polyline. The macro
creates the polyline using the Boundary Intersection method. For details, see Polyline Command (p. 177).
The boundary and intersecting slice plane are defined in the Macro Calculator and passed to the sub-
routine as arguments. The boundaries selected for Boundary List in the Macro Calculator make up one
surface for the intersection. The second surface is a slice plane created using the X, Y, or Z normal axis
to the plane (Slice Normal) and a point on that axis (Slice Position).
CFD-Post Tools Menu
The cp user variable is created by the macro from the cp expression. The cp expression can be defined
as:
(Pressure - $pref [Pa])/dynHead
where $pref is the Ref. Pressure set in the Macro Calculator and dynHead is a reference dynamic
head (evaluated at the inlet) that can be defined as:
0.5 * areaAve(Density)@inlet * areaAve(Velocity)@inlet^2
The Inlet Region selected in the Macro Calculator is used as the inlet location in the calculation of
dynHead.
Next, a Chart line of the cp variable versus the Plot X Axis value is created. The generated report contains
the chart and the settings from the Macro Calculator.
The following information must be specified:
• Boundary List: A list of boundaries used in the simulation.
• Slice Normal: The axis that will be normal to the slice plane.
• Slice Position: The offset of the slice plane in the direction specified by the normal axis.
• Inlet Region: The locator used to calculate inlet quantities.
• Ref. Pressure: The reference pressure for the simulation.
• Plot Axis: The axis on which the results will be plotted.
12.6.3.3. Gas Compressor Performance Macro
The Compressor Performance macro performs a series of calculations using the data set in the Macro
Calculator. The following information must be specified:
Macro Calculator
• Outlet Region: The locator used to calculate outlet quantities.
• Rotor Blade(s): The locator used to calculate torque (one blade row) about the machine axis.
• Machine Axis: The axis of rotation of the compressor.
• Rot. Speed: The rotational speed of the compressor.
• Num. Main Blades: Some quantities calculated for a single blade set (main blade and any splitter blades) are
multiplied by the number of blade sets in the full 360° wheel in order to produce the total value for the
wheel.
• Ref Pressure: The reference pressure for the simulation.
• Ref Radius: A reference radius between the hub and tip.
• Fluid Gamma: The ratio of specific heat capacity at constant pressure to specific heat capacity at constant
volume (Cp / Cv).
12.6.3.4. Gas Turbine Performance Macro
• Outlet Region: The locator used to calculate outlet quantities.
• Rotor Blade(s): The locator used to calculate torque (one blade row) about the machine axis.
• Machine Axis: The axis or rotation of the turbine.
• Rot. Speed: The rotational speed of the turbine.
CFD-Post Tools Menu
wheel.
• Ref Radius: Reference radius between the hub and tip.
• Fluid Gamma: The ratio of specific heat capacity at constant pressure to specific heat capacity at constant
volume (Cp / Cv).
12.6.3.5. Liquid Pump Performance Macro
• Inlet: The locator used to calculate inlet quantities.
• Outlet: The locator used to calculate outlet quantities.
• Rotor Blade(s): The locator(s) used to calculate torque (one blade row) about the machine axis.
• Machine Axis: The axis or rotation of the pump.
• Rot. Speed: The rotational speed of the pump.
wheel.
Macro Calculator
• Ref Radius: Reference radius between the hub and tip.
• Ref Height: Cross-section height (that is, the height of the outlet region, or the height of the blade at the
trailing edge).
• Ref Density: The reference density for the simulation.
• Gravity Accel.: The acceleration due to gravity.
12.6.3.6. Liquid Turbine Performance Macro
• Inlet: the locator used to calculate inlet quantities.
• Outlet: the locator used to calculate outlet quantities.
• Rotor Blade(s): the locators used to calculate torque (one blade row) about the machine axis.
• Machine Axis: the axis or rotation of the turbine.
• Rot. Speed: the rotational speed of the turbine.
wheel.
CFD-Post Tools Menu
• Ref Radius: reference radius between the hub and tip.
• Ref Height: Cross-section height (that is, the height of the outlet region, or the height of the blade at the
trailing edge).
• Flow Rate: The volume flow rate.
• Head Rise: The pressure head at the inlet.
• Ref Density: The reference density for the simulation.
• Gravity Accel.: The acceleration due to gravity.
12.6.3.7. Fan Noise Macro
This macro calculates the noise levels of the turbomachinery as observed at a specific location. The
following information must be specified:
• Domain: The domain in which the blade is located.
Macro Calculator
• Blade Selection: Set to Automatic for a single blade passage or Custom for a multiple blade passage. If this
is set to Custom, you will need to specify the 2D region for the blade (Custom Blade) as well as the number
of blades (Custom # Blades).
• # of Harmonics: The number of harmonics used in the calculation.
• Observer (r) and Observer (theta): The distance and location of the observer, relative to the blade.
• Theta Sectors: The number of sampling points (sectors) equally spaced over 360° at a given radius around
the fan, used to calculate the noise values. A higher number leads to a more accurate solution, but takes
more time to calculate.
• Directivity Harm. #: The harmonic level at which the sound pressure levels will be calculated.
• Loading Coeff.: A coefficient between 2 and 2.5.
The loading coefficient parameter defines the decay (or decrease) of the sound-pressure level vs the
frequency. In general, the sound-pressure level decreases when the frequency increases. In his exper-
iments, Lowson replaced the unsteady loading by a steady one multiplied by a decay function. Based
on these experiments, this decay follows an exponential law with a negative slope. Lowson found
that a loading coefficient between 2 and 2.5 gives a sound-pressure level close to the experimental
data; that is, the loading coefficient defines the slope of the exponential law.
In general and for highly loaded blades, the decay of the sound-pressure level is very quick (one or
two peaks in the sound-pressure level spectrum) and therefore a higher value of the loading coefficient
will be appropriate.
• Acou. Ref. Pressure: Acoustic reference pressure ( ) is the international standard for the minimum audible
sound of 2.10-5 [Pa].
The acoustic reference pressure is used to convert the acoustic pressure into Sound Pressure in dB
using the following equation:
(12.1)
where is the acoustic reference pressure. The reference pressure depends on the fluid.
• Acou. Ref. Power: Acoustic reference power ( ) is used to convert the sound power from units of
to units of dB.
The equation used is:
(12.2)
where:
– is the value of the acoustic reference power
– is the sound power and is defined by:
(12.3)
CFD-Post Tools Menu
The acoustic reference power is:
• Sound Speed: The speed of the sound in the fluid at rest.
For details on completing this dialog box, see Using the Fan Noise Macro (p. 276).
12.6.3.7.1. Using the Fan Noise Macro

The Fan Noise macro calculates the tonal noise levels generated by a low-speed fan (primarily axial-flow
fans). Tonal noise, or discrete-frequency noise, is due mainly to periodic forces exerted on fluid passing
a fan. The Fan Noise macro can be applied to low speed fans having a tip Mach number less than 0.45.
For a higher tip Mach number, the accuracy of the results is questionable. The fan must radiate in the
free field where the observer can see the fan blades (the Fan Noise macro does not take into account
the reflection effect). Thus, the Fan Noise macro cannot be applied to ducted fans.

12.6.3.7.1.1. Fan Noise Theory in Brief
12.6.3.7.1.2. Fan Noise Macro Input
12.6.3.7.1.3. Fan Noise Output (Reports)
12.6.3.7.1.4. Fan Noise Examples
12.6.3.7.1.1. Fan Noise Theory in Brief
Several methods have been developed to predict tonal noise; the Lowson Model is described here.
In the low-speed regime, the main noise component is a dipolar source. Lowson [Lowson, M. V., 1970,
“Theoretical analysis of compressor noise”, The Journal of Acoustics So. Am., Vol. 47 (1), 1970, pp. 371-
385.] showed that the noise generated by a fan is directly related to the aerodynamic forces exerted
on the fixed and rotating blades. First, in a semi-empirical way, he calculated these forces; then he took
into account the distance between the source and the observer. In this case, the fan is considered as
a noise source for which the frequency depends on the rotational speed and other parameters. In 1962,
Lighthill established the acoustic pressure expression produced by a punctual force, , in rectilinear
motion.
(12.4)
where:
As shown in Figure 12.1: Relative position of the source and the observer (p. 277), and are the co-
ordinates of the Observer O (r, , ) and of the Source S (R, , t), respectively. is the convective
Macro Calculator
component of the rotational Mach number in the direction. and are respectively the thrust and
the drag (torque) forces exerted on the blade. According to Equation 12.4 (p. 276), when the force is
constant, the acoustic pressure is equal to zero.
Lowson extended Equation 12.4 (p. 276) to create a more general equation:
(12.5)
This relation describes the contribution of the convective phenomenon due to the term . Note
that Equation 12.5 (p. 277) must be evaluated at retarded time . This equation can be used to find an
expression for the sound from a point force in arbitrary harmonic motion.
Figure 12.1: Relative position of the source and the observer
The Lowson model enables the calculation, at the observer position, of the acoustic pressure generated
by steady and unsteady efforts. The latter are considered as punctual sources and correspond to the
loads exerting by the z blades of the rotor. Lowson integrated Equation 12.5 (p. 277) in time and space
to get the mth harmonic of the acoustic pressure generated by a periodic rotating loading:
(12.6)
using the following equation:

(12.7)
and integrating Equation 12.6 (p. 277) by parts gives:
CFD-Post Tools Menu
(12.8)
as shown in Figure 12.1: Relative position of the source and the observer (p. 277) with being the axis
of rotation and the fluctuating loading and observer position being defined as:
In
(12.9)
• and are respectively the thrust and drag (torque) components of the aerodynamic unsteady force
represented by a global force exerted on the blade.
• The terms in and are important only in the acoustic near field. Thus, in the acoustic far field,
Equation 12.8 (p. 278) becomes:
(12.10)
Taking into account of the thrust and drag periodicities, Lowson proposed the following formulation:
(12.11)
where is the effort harmonic order or the mode.
Substituting the results obtained from Equation 12.9 (p. 278) and Equation 12.11 (p. 278) into Equa-
tion 12.10 (p. 278) gives:
(12.12)
where the rotational Mach number is
The integrals in Equation 12.12 (p. 278) can be identified as Bessel functions, and, using the expressions:
Macro Calculator
(12.13)
Equation 12.12 (p. 278) can be evaluated directly to give the sound level radiated from z rotor blades:
(12.14)
where:
• is a first Bessel Function of order
• is the number of blades
The interest of this relation is the knowledge of the components of the fluctuating efforts and
.
Following the experimental work done on helicopter blades by Scheiman [Scheiman, J., 1964, “Sources
of noise in axial flow fans”, Journal of Sound and Vibration, Vol. 1, (3), 1964, pp. 302-322.], Lowson exten-
ded Equation 12.14 (p. 279) to an equation that relates the steady-state components of the force to the
acoustic pressure.
12.6.3.7.1.2. Fan Noise Macro Input
The Fan Noise macro calculates the tonal noise levels generated by a fan as heard at a specific location.
To access the Fan Noise macro:
1. Load the .res file into CFD-Post.
2. Click the Calculators tab.
3. In the Macro field, select Fan Noise.
4. In the Macro Calculator, specify the information described in Fan Noise Macro (p. 274).
5. When the Macro Calculator fields are filled in, click Calculate.
12.6.3.7.1.3. Fan Noise Output (Reports)
The Fan Noise macro outputs a report; to view it, click View Report. The report displays the input values,
the sound pressure levels, the sound power levels, the directivity of harmonic 1, and the overall results.
Here is a partial sample:
CFD-Post Tools Menu
The turbo noise report will be created in your working directory as turboNoise_report.html along
with the tables (turboNoise_*.csv) and graphics (turboNoise_*.png) included in the report.
This enables you to reuse these elements in other documents, if required.
12.6.3.7.1.4. Fan Noise Examples
There are two ways to perform turbo noise calculations; you can have:
• A case with a single blade passage (the Lowson model is based on this)
• A case with a multiple blade passage, including a 360° case.
As shown below, the only necessary differences in the two cases are the settings for Blade Selection
and the custom blade fields.
Fan Noise Macro Values Single Blade Passage Multiple Blade Passage
Domain Fan Block Fan Block
Blade Selection Automatic Custom
> Custom Blade Blade
> Custom # of Blades 9
# of Harmonics 6 6
Observer (r) 1m 1m
Observer (theta) 0 degree 0 degree
Theta Sectors 36 36
Directivity Harm. # 1 1
Loading Coeff. 2.2 2.2
Macro Calculator
Fan Noise Macro Values Single Blade Passage Multiple Blade Passage
Acou. Ref. Pressure 2e-005 Pa 2e-005 Pa
Acou. Ref. Power 1e-012 W m^-3 1e-012 W m^-3
Sound Speed 340 m/s 340 m/s
To view the report, click Calculate and then View Report.
12.6.4. User-defined Macros

You can write your own macros and make them available in the Macro Calculator.

12.6.4.1. Writing a Macro
12.6.4.2. Macro GUI Definition
12.6.4.1. Writing a Macro

Using a text editor, you can write a macro in a CFD-Post session file format (file extension .cse).
A macro can contain:
• Special commented lines that help define the graphical user interface for the macro
• Power Syntax commands
For details, see Power Syntax in ANSYS CFX.
• CCL (see CFX Command Language (CCL) in CFD-Post (p. 327))
A macro must contain at least one subroutine written using Power Syntax.
Following are two example subroutines written using Power Syntax:

! sub Hello1 {
! print "Hello !\n";
! }
! sub Hello2 {
! ($title, $name) = @_;
! print "Hello $title $name\n";
! }
Note that commas are used to separate arguments. Also note that strings are quoted.
You can embed graphical user interface controls into the macro by writing special comments between
the # Macro GUI begin and # Macro GUI end lines. An example macro follows:
# Macro GUI begin
#
# macro name = Area Average Macro
# macro subroutine = mySub
#
# macro parameter = Var
# type = variable
# multiselect = true
# default = Y
#
# macro parameter = Location
# type = location
# location category = surface
CFD-Post Tools Menu
#
# Macro GUI end
! no warnings 'redefine';
! sub mySub {
! ($variable, $plane) = @_;
# Create an expression for the area average of the variable value on the plane
LIBRARY:
CEL:
EXPRESSIONS:
! my $locationName = getObjectName($plane);
Average Value = areaAve($variable)@$locationName
END
END
END
! my $average = getExprVal("Average Value");
! print "Var = $variable, Location = $locationName, Area Average = $average\n";
!}
In the macro above, the special comments between the # Macro GUI begin and # Macro GUI
end lines specify:
• The macro name
• The subroutine to call
• The input parameters and details of them, including their types and default values
Macro Area Average Macro has two input parameters:
• Var - The variable to average. The default is Y
• Location - A surface locator.
When this macro is loaded, the entry Area Average Macro appears in the list of available macros
(under the Macro setting).
When this macro is run:
• Expression Average Value is updated (created if necessary). This expression evaluates to the area average
of the specified variable on the specified location.
• The specified values Var and Location, and the value of Average Value, are printed to the console
window (which is viewable when starting CFD-Post in Stand-alone mode).
The following example macro writes text output to a file.

! open(FH,">myOut.txt");
! $val = ave("Pressure", "Point 1");
! $time = getValue( "DATA READER", "Current Timevalue");
! print FH "$time $val\n";
! close(FH);
In this example, the output filepath is specified using redirection of output from the Perl print com-
mand.
Macro Calculator
In order to better learn how to create your own macro, you can view the existing macros in <CFDPOST-
ROOT>/etc/*.cse and study the definitions.
12.6.4.2. Macro GUI Definition

The portion of a macro definition that falls between the # Macro GUI begin and # Macro GUI
end lines contains special comments that provide basic information about the macro, including the
information required to populate the graphical user interface of the Macro Calculator with the settings
(input parameters) required by the macro. The following table lists the special comments that can be
added to a macro:
Special Comment Description

# macro name = The macro identifier to appear in the macro combo
<name>
# macro subroutine The subroutine to call. A macro must contain at least one
= <subname> subroutine.
# macro report file The file generated by the macro (if any). This enables the View
= <filename> Report button, which attempts to load the file in a text/html
browser.
# macro related Other related files to load when loading this macro. The main use
files = <file1>, of this feature is to load subroutines from other files so that these
<file2> subroutines can be used in the macro.
Each specified file can contain one or more subroutines.

# macro parameter Defines an input parameter and its properties: its name, type, and
= <name> other options as described in the next table.
#type = <type> Specify this group of comments once for each input parameter
that is required by the macro.
#<option1> = <val>
The input parameters are displayed (in the order defined) in the
#<option2> = <val> graphical user interface, and, upon running the macro, are passed
(in the order defined) to the macro’s (main) subroutine as input
#.. arguments.
The following table provides details on the # macro parameter comment, including the options
available for each parameter type:
Type Option Example Notes

string default My String
integer default 10
range 1, 100
float quantity type 0.1 [s] The quantity type controls which
units are allowed. A full list of
default 0.1 [s], 0.4 [s] quantity types can be found in <CF-
DPOSTROOT>/etc/<ver-
range Time sion>/common_units.cfx. To
specify that the float is
CFD-Post Tools Menu

dimensionless, omit the specification
of a quantity type.
triplet default 0.5[m], 0[m], The quantity type controls which
1[m] units are allowed. A full list of
range quantity types can be found in <CF-
-1[m], 1[m] DPOSTROOT>/etc/<ver-
quantity type sion>/common_units.cfx. To
Length specify that the triplet is
dimensionless, omit the specification
of a quantity type.
location default Inlet The location type can be any object
type listed in <CFDPOST-
location type Boundary ROOT>/etc/CFXPostRules.ccl
after an occurrence of the string
location surface “OBJECT: ”, provided that the object
category description contains the string
“Category =” followed by a list of
categories that includes the word
“selectable”. Valid location types
include (but are not limited to):
• boundary
• chart
• chart series
• domain
• isosurface
• line
• plane
• point
• polyline
• streamline
• turbo line
• turbo surface
• user surface
• volume
The location category can be any

category listed in <CFDPOST-
ROOT>/etc/CFXPostRules.ccl
Macro Calculator

after the string “Categories =”. Valid
location categories include:
• geometry
• line
• plane
• point
• region2d
• selectable
• surface
• variable
• viewer-viewable
• volume
You can specify a location category

to allow locations of various related
types. For example, the “surface”
category includes any locations of
type ”boundary”, “isosurface”, or
“turbo surface”.
The location parameter returns either

the object’s CCL path or just its
name. The object’s name is returned
for surfaces that are read from the
file, for example, boundaries or
regions. For other objects, the
object’s path is returned; to get the
object’s name, use
getObjectName(Object Path).
a
list default orange
list apple, orange,

fig
variable default Pressure
domain default Stator
a
CFD-Post normally refers to boundaries in other objects by name, not path (for example, a contour plot on a boundary), so that the
object can be re-used in other files or for file comparisons. For example, a contour in "inlet" will automatically turn into two separate
objects when two files are loaded and both have "inlet".
CFD-Post Tools Menu
12.7. Mesh Calculator

The Mesh Calculator (Tools > Mesh Calculator) offers a variety of tools to check the quality of your
mesh. The results of each calculation are performed over all domains1 and printed to the output window.
Each calculated variable is also added to the list of available variables, which enables you to use them
as a basis for creating new plots. It is important to note that these variables are evaluated on nodes
rather than elements, based on the criteria described below.
You can select the following functions to calculate:
Maximum Face Angle

This calculates the largest face angle for all faces that touch a node. For each face, the angle between the
two edges of the face that touch the node is calculated and the largest angle from all faces is returned for
each node. Therefore, there is one maximum value for each node. The values that are reported are the
smallest and largest of these maximums.
The maximum face angle can be considered to be a measure of skewness. For details, see Mesh
Visualization Advice (p. 287).
Minimum Face Angle

This calculates the smallest face angle for all faces that touch a node. For each face, the angle between
the two edges of the face that touch the node is calculated and the smallest angle from all faces is returned
for each node. Therefore, there is one minimum value for each node. The values that are reported are the
smallest and largest of these minimums. For details, see Mesh Visualization Advice (p. 287).
Edge Length Ratio

This is a ratio of the longest edge of a face divided by the shortest edge of the face. For each face:
(12.15)
is calculated for the two edges of the face that touch the node. The largest ratio is returned.
Connectivity Number
Connectivity number is the number of elements that touch a node.
Element Volume Ratio

Element Volume Ratio is defined as the ratio of the maximum volume of an element that touches
a node, to the minimum volume of an element that touches a node. The value returned can be used as a
measure of the local expansion factor.
Mesh Information
The Mesh Information option returns the number of nodes and elements in your volume mesh. It
also lists the number of elements of each element type. As an example, the mesh for the following output
contains two domains: one using hexahedral elements and the other containing tetrahedral elements.
The domains were connected using a domain interface:
Number of Nodes: 71680
Number of Elements: 139862
Tetrahedra: 75265
Wedges: 31395
Pyramids: 0
Hexahedra: 33202
1
If multiple cases are loaded, the results of each calculation are performed over all domains in the specified cases.
Mesh Calculator
When you click Calculate, the result window displays the results of the specified calculation. If the cal-
culated variable does not already exist, it will be created. This enables you to create plots of the calculated
variable.
Note
When you compare the mesh information for a Fluent file in Fluent and in CFD-Post, the re-
ported number of nodes (Fluent's "cells") will differ. In Fluent, each domain can have nodes
at its boundaries that are not acknowledged as being shared with other domains. This causes
Fluent mesh reports to contain duplicated nodes; however, the actual number of cells is the
same as reported by CFD-Post.
12.7.1. Mesh Visualization Advice

The following table gives some guidelines for checking mesh quality. If there are elements that have
mesh quality parameters greater or less than those listed, you may find problems with using the mesh
in the CFX-Solver.
Element Type Elements may be a problem if they have any

of:
Tetrahedrons (4 nodes) Edge Length Ratio > 100
Max Face Angle > 170˚
Min Face Angle < 10˚
Element Volume Ratio > 30
Connectivity Number > 50

Pyramids (5 nodes) Edge Length Ratio > 100

Prisms (6 nodes) Edge Length Ratio > 100

Hexahedrons (8 nodes) Edge Length Ratio > 100
Max/Min Edge Length > 100
CFD-Post Tools Menu
Element Type Elements may be a problem if they have any

of:
In many cases, the robustness of the CFX-Solver will not be adversely affected by high element volume
ratios. However, you should be aware that accuracy will decrease as the element volume ratio increases.
For optimal accuracy, you should try to keep the element volume ratio less than the value suggested
in the above table.
12.8. Case Comparison

The Compare Cases command enables you to compare results from two distinct cases, or between
two steps of a single case. The Compare Cases command is available in the Tools menu in any of the
following situations:
• You have loaded two or more cases using the Load Results File dialog box option Keep current cases
loaded
• You have loaded a single transient case (with results available for at least two time steps)
• You have loaded a multi-configuration case, or a case with run history, using the Load Results File dialog
box option Load complete history as (either as a single case or as separate cases), so that results for two
or more steps are available through the timestep selector.
Selecting Compare Cases displays the Case Comparison details view.
The following options are available:
Case Comparison Active

Enables the Case Comparison function; the comparison occurs when you click Apply.
In Case Comparison mode:
• Difference variables are computed as the variable values from Case 1 minus the variable values from
Case 2. The latter are interpolated onto the mesh from Case 1 before the subtraction. As a result, the
difference variables are located on the mesh from Case 1.
To reverse the order of subtraction, swap the specifications for Case 1 and Case 2 in the Case
Comparison details view.
Note
– CFD-Post does not support comparison of the following variables:
→ Connectivity Number
→ Edge Length Ratio
→ Element Volume Ratio
→ Force
→ Length
Case Comparison
→ Mass Flow
→ Maximum Face Angle
→ Minimum Face Angle
– When comparing variables on interior walls in cases where meshes are not identical, you
may see unexpected differences in difference plots. This can happen because during mesh
interpolation, variable values may get picked up from one or the other side of the interior
boundary. If the two sides do not have the same values, the interpolated values could
randomly oscillate between values of the two sides, producing additional difference in the
plot.
– When comparing cases with a large number of mesh nodes, CFD-Post may take a long
time to produce the difference variable and as a result may appear to be unresponsive.
• A Difference view is shown in a new view (in addition to the Case 1 (<case_name>) view and the
Case 2 (<case_name>) view). In that view, differences are shown on the mesh from Case 1.
• Each difference variable is named by appending “.Difference” to the end of the variable name from
which it was derived. For example, the difference variable for the variable Pressure is Pressure.Dif
ference.
• The difference variables can be used anywhere that variables can normally be used. The Function Calcu-
lator and Table Viewer have special support for the difference variables, enabling you to easily see
functions and tables (respectively) of difference values. In addition, a chart that is based on locators that
exist in both Case 1 and Case 2 will have a "Difference" chart line. See Example: Comparing Differences
Between Two Files (p. 246).
• CFD-Post refers to the cases as “Case 1” and “Case 2” rather than as the original case names (which are
usually based on the results filename).
Case 1 and Case 2

Enables you to select the cases to be compared. If you want to compare two steps from within the same
case (that is, two time steps from a transient case) then you should select the same case for both Case 1
and Case 2. The timestep selector that is embedded into the Case Comparison details view then enables
you to select which steps you want to compare. In this circumstance, CFD-Post needs to load the results
from the selected case a second time, so you will see a second case appearing in the tree view. After the
comparison has been initialized, the steps used for the comparison can be changed either by using the
embedded timestep selector on the Case Comparison details view, or by using the usual timestep selector
(which now has separate entries for each of the two copies of the case being compared).
Tip
When comparing two 2D cases, set the case that is extruded less as Case 1. This enables
CFD-Post to match nodes between the two cases for one of the symmetry boundaries
and to define difference plots.
Options: Synchronize camera in displayed views

Causes changes in orientation of one view to be duplicated in the other. If the views are initially in different
orientations, the first movement of any view will align all views to the same orientation.
CFD-Post Tools Menu
Options: Use absolute difference for scalar variables

Causes all scalar variable differences to be reported as positive numbers.
Mesh Detection
Enables you to control whether or not CFD-Post needs to determine whether the meshes in the two cases
are identical. If you know beforehand that the meshes are the same or different, you can save processing
time by enabling the appropriate mesh detection setting. Your options are:
• Auto-detect same mesh causes CFD-Post to analyze the two meshes to determine whether they are
the same or different before performing any interpolation.
• Meshes are identical and Meshes are different enable CFD-Post to perform interpolation immediately,
which saves processing time when cases are large.
Note
When you know meshes to be topologically identical but the node numbering may
be different, use Meshes are identical. This setting causes CFD-Post to ignore node
numbering and just use the topology of the mesh. In such cases do not use the Auto-
detect same mesh setting because this fails when node numbering is not the same.
For example, when comparing a case from ANSYS CFX with a case from Fluent, the
node numbering may differ even between apparently identical meshes, so the Meshes
are identical setting is required.
Note
• If you run a case comparison on a file that contains solver-generated difference variables (such
as Volume Porosity.Difference), these variables will become unviewable when you
enter case comparison mode. However, the variables will be viewable again if you reload the
results file.
• Global ranges of difference variables are updated as domains are used. For example, if a multi-
domain case is loaded and a difference variable colors a locator that is in a single domain, the
range displayed will reflect the range of the difference variable only in that domain. If the locator
is moved to another domain (or a new locator colored by the same variable is added), the global
range for that difference variable is updated to reflect both domains.
• When using expressions in case-comparison situations, the expression syntax is:
function()@CASE:[1|2].location
For example, area()@CASE:2.myplane
• Case comparison is supported only for General mode. As a result, case comparison initiated from
the Turbo tab will revert to General mode.
• When using Variable Minimum or Variable Maximum option on a point in multi-file or compar-
ison mode, the point is placed at the location of the overall minimum/maximum. If you want to
place the point at the minimum/maximum value for the individual cases, select the appropriate
case in the point's Domain List selector.
Command Editor
12.8.1. Calculating Difference Variables

There are two ways of creating difference variables:
• You can use the CFX Interpolator.
• You can use CFD-Post in comparison mode.
In each case you can then view variables such as "<vector variable>.Difference" (such as Velocity.Differ-
ence) and "<scalar variable>.Difference" (such as Temperature.Difference). For a description of the
general variable syntax, see Quantitative CEL Functions in ANSYS CFX in the CFX Reference Guide.
Difference variables are computed on the mesh of the first case by first interpolating the variable from
the second mesh to the first mesh, and then subtracting the two variables.
The magnitude of a difference variable "<vector variable>.Difference” is always calculated as:
(12.16)
This is not the difference of the vector magnitudes between file 1 and file 2.
If you plot a vector plot such as Velocity.Difference, it is obvious that a real vector is being plotted.
However, if you plot "<vector variable>.Difference" in plots that use a scalar variable, how the difference
variable is calculated is an issue. For example, suppose in one file you have a velocity vector (1, 0, 0),
so the velocity magnitude is 1 [m/s], and in the second file you have a velocity vector of (-1, 0, 0), so
the velocity magnitude is also 1 [m/s]. The vector variable Velocity.Difference variable is (2, 0, 0), and
the scalar variable that CFD-Post calls "Velocity.Difference" is equal to the magnitude of this vector
variable (that is, it is 2 [m/s]). You might expect Velocity.Difference to be equal to "velocity magnitude
in file 2" - "velocity magnitude in file 1", which would give a value of 0 [m/s], but this is incorrect.
12.9. Command Editor

To start the Command Editor:
1. Select Tools > Command Editor. Alternatively, right-click any object that can be modified using the
Command Editor and select Edit in Command Editor.
• If you select Tools > Command Editor, the Command Editor opens and displays the current state re-
gardless of any selection.
– If the Command Editor dialog box has not been used previously, it will be blank.
– If the Command Editor dialog box has been used previously, it will contain CCL commands. If you
do not want to edit the CCL that appears, click Clear to erase all content.
• If you right-click an object and select Edit in Command Editor, the CCL definition of the specific object
populates the Command Editor automatically. Modify or add parameters as required, then process
the new object definition to apply the changes.
2. Click in the Command Editor.
CFD-Post Tools Menu
3. Prepare the content of the Command Editor by adding new content, modifying the existing content, or
both.
The types of content that may be prepared are CCL, action commands, and power syntax. Combin-
ations of these types of content are allowed. For details, see:
• CFX Command Language (CCL) Syntax in the CFX Reference Guide.
• Command Actions in the CFD-Post User's Guide.
• Power Syntax in ANSYS CFX in the CFX Reference Guide.
Right-click in the Command Editor to access basic editing functions. These functions include Find,
which makes a search tool appear at the bottom of the Command Editor dialog box. Enter a search
term and click either Next or Previous to search upwards or downwards from the insertion point
or text selection. To hide the search tool, press Esc.
4. Click Process.
The contents are processed: CCL changes will affect CCL object definitions, actions will be carried
out, and power syntax will be run.
Chapter 13: Turbo Workspace
The Turbo workspace improves and speeds up postprocessing for turbomachinery simulations. To access
the Turbo workspace, click the Turbo tab. The two main parts of the Turbo workspace interface are
the Turbo tree view and the Turbo details view.

13.1. Visual Representation of Initialization Status
13.2. Define/Modify Global Rotation Axis
13.3.Turbo Initialization
13.4.Turbo View Shortcuts
Turbo Workspace
13.5.Turbo Surface
13.6.Turbo Line
13.7.Turbo Plots
13.8.Turbo Macros
13.9. Calculate Velocity Components
13.1. Visual Representation of Initialization Status
Tip
Load file AxialIni_001.res (provided with a tutorial) into CFD-Post so that the descrip-
tions in this chapter are easier to follow.
When in the Turbo workspace, a wireframe representation of each component appears in the viewer.
The currently selected turbo component appears as a green wireframe. If it also happens to be initialized,
it will be accompanied by a visual depiction of the background mesh, shown as a transparent green
surface with white mesh lines.
The Turbo tree view also indicates which components are initialized and which are not; if the component
is uninitialized, the symbol next to a component name is grayed out.
After entering the Turbo workspace and initializing the turbo components, you are ready to start using
the turbo-specific features offered in the Turbo workspace.
13.2. Define/Modify Global Rotation Axis

The Define/Modify Global Rotation Axis button is found on the Turbo workspace's Initialization view.
When you click that button, the Define/Modify Global Rotation Axis dialog box appears.
Exactly one axis of rotation method must be specified. The axis definition can come from the results
file, or it can be specified manually as either a Rotation Axis (six Cartesian coordinates) or a Principal
Axis (X, Y, or Z). Upon changing the axis definition, the axial, radial, and Theta coordinates (and their
dependent objects and expressions) are automatically updated. For details, see Theta (p. 305).
13.3. Turbo Initialization

Before using the Turbo workspace features, the components of the loaded case (such as rotor, stator,
and so on1) need to be initialized. Initialization causes, among other things, span, , a (axial) and r
(radial) and Theta coordinates to be generated for each component.
The topics in this section include:
• Requirements for Initialization (p. 295)
• Initialize All Components (p. 295)
• Uninitializing Components (p. 296)
• Individual Component Initialization (Advanced Feature) (p. 296)
1
Available components depend on the turbo setup in the preprocessor. There is a minimum of one component available for each
domain.
Turbo Initialization
• Details View for Individual Component Initialization (p. 296)
Important
Transient Blade Row cases that use the Fourier Transformation method will have two domains
in CFD-Post, but only one domain will have data. Do not initialize Turbo Post for the non-
data domain because this will cause some Turbo-related features to fail.
13.3.1. Requirements for Initialization

Initialization of a turbo component requires the following:
• Input for calculating a background mesh. For details, see Purpose of Background Mesh (p. 297).
• Specification of the number of instances of each turbo component (such as stator, rotor, and so on) required
to represent the full geometry around the rotation axis.
Note
CFD-Post can initialize turbo space only for domains that are enclosed with inlet, outlet, hub,
and shroud regions. For more complex geometries, you must set up the problem to isolate
the region of interest into a separate domain that has these regions.
13.3.2. Initialize All Components

To access the initialization options, double-click Initialization in the Turbo tree view. The Initialize All
Components button that appears is used to set the region and instancing information for each of the
domains contained in your results file.
Correctly defined turbo spaces, as described in Requirements for Initialization (p. 295), can be automat-
ically initialized. To automatically initialize all components using the default (best guess) region assign-
ment, you can do one of the following:
• Choose to auto-initialize all components when a message prompts you upon entering the Turbo workspace
for the first time (after loading a case).
• Right-click a component in the Turbo tree view and select Initialize All.
• Use a CCL instruction; for details, see Initializing all Turbo Components.
Tip
For automatic 360° initialization, CFD-Post uses cut planes and then looks for intersections
between these and the turbo regions. However, if gaps within the slice (due to the blade
region) are large relative to complexity of the topology and curvature of the passage is high,
automatic 360° initialization might fail as CFD-Post cannot reconstruct the passage curves.
If your case has regions, you should be able to manually initialize by setting the turbo regions
from any one of the passages. See Individual Component Initialization (Advanced Fea-
ture) (p. 296) for details.
Turbo Workspace
13.3.3. Uninitializing Components

After a turbo component has been initialized, it is possible to change or even remove its initialization
settings. An uninitialized component still has axial, radial and Theta coordinates generated for it, as
long as the rotation axis is defined.
The Uninitialize All Components button is accessible in the Turbo details view after double-clicking
Initialization in the Turbo workspace. A shortcut menu associated with a turbo component in the
Turbo tree view enables uninitialization for that component, or for all components.
Uninitializing all turbo components can be followed by initializing only the components that will be
studied. Keeping the number of initialized components to a minimum saves computer memory. It also
saves computational effort when generating plots that span multiple components. For example, having
only one component initialized in a domain with many components restricts calculations and plots to
just the initialized component.
Uninitialization does not cause graphic objects to be deleted. A graphic object that disappears due to
the uninitialization of a turbo component reappears if the component is initialized.
13.3.4. Individual Component Initialization (Advanced Feature)

To manually initialize or modify the initialization of a turbo component, double-click the component in
the Turbo tree view. A details view for the component appears with two tabs: Definition and Instancing.
1. Select the boundary names that correspond to the required turbo regions. To select multiple regions,
click the icon to the right of the drop-down list and hold the Ctrl key while selecting the regions.
2. In the Background Mesh frame for each of the hub, shroud, inlet, and outlet curves, choose to specify
each to be From Turbo Region or From Line (that is, from a predefined line). If From Line is chosen,
choose the line locator.
3. Set the mesh Method to either Linear or Quasi Orthogonal.
4. Click Apply (or Initialize, for subsequent initializations).
Additional information on Individual Component Initialization is available in the Details View for Indi-
vidual Component Initialization (p. 296) section; for details, see:
• Turbo Regions Frame (p. 297)
• Background Mesh Frame (p. 297).
13.3.5. Details View for Individual Component Initialization

The Individual Component Initialization view contains the following tabs:
• Definition Tab (p. 296)
• Instancing Tab (p. 299)
13.3.5.1. Definition Tab

The Definition tab is used to specify:
Turbo Initialization
• The hub, shroud, inlet, and outlet curves and other regions for a turbo component (such as a rotor or stator).
For details, see Turbo Regions Frame (p. 297).
• The parameters controlling the component’s associated background mesh.
The background mesh is a mesh generated on a constant-Theta projection of the passage, used to
define spanwise and meridional coordinates for the 3D geometry. For details, see Background Mesh
Frame (p. 297).
13.3.5.1.1. Turbo Regions Frame

The Turbo Regions frame is used to assign 2D regions to the Hub, Shroud, Blade, Inlet, Outlet,
and Periodic regions of a turbo component. These regions are not always required, but when provided,
may be used in the following ways:
• The Blade region specification is used to enable macros and plots that deal with blades (for example, a
blade loading macro).
• The intersections of the Hub, Shroud, Inlet and Outlet regions with Periodic 1 may be used in
order to generate internal polylines that are then collapsed in the Theta direction to form the boundaries
of the background mesh. Alternatively, or if any of these intersections are not possible, polylines/lines may
be specified explicitly in the Background Mesh frame. For details, see Background Mesh Frame (p. 297).
In the special case of a turbo component that wraps 360 degrees around the rotation axis, there may
be no periodic regions available. In this case, you may do one of the following:
1. Select the 360 Case Without Periodics check box.
2. Specify the hub, shroud, inlet, and outlet regions. Create a rectangularly-bounded slice plane, using the
point-and-normal method, such that it intersects the turbo component on only one side of the rotation
axis. In this case, it may be helpful to temporarily set the plane type to Sample so that you can see the
entire plane. After the plane is in the correct position, set the type to Slice. Finally, specify this slice
plane as Periodic 1. You do not need to set Periodic 2.
3. Specify polylines for the hub, shroud, inlet, and outlet in the Background Mesh frame (described next).
13.3.5.1.2. Background Mesh Frame

13.3.5.1.2.1. Purpose of Background Mesh
In order to calculate Streamwise Location ( ) and Span coordinates for a turbo component, a separate
2D mesh is created as an intermediate step. The mesh, here referred to as a background mesh, is formed
by taking the 3D passage boundaries (hub, shroud, inlet, outlet) and collapsing them in the Theta dir-
ection, forming a 2D passage outline on an axial-radial plane. The outline is then filled in with a mesh
consisting of lines of constant span and meridional coordinate. The resulting mesh is then used to as-
sociate Streamwise Location and Span coordinates with any 3D position in the passage.
13.3.5.1.2.2. Requirements for Setting Up a Background Mesh
The background mesh frame requires you to specify how the hub, shroud, inlet, and outlet curves will
be obtained. The two available options are:
• From Turbo Region
Turbo Workspace
When From Turbo Region is specified for a particular curve, that curve is automatically extracted
by intersecting the corresponding turbo region (specified in the Turbo Regions frame) with the
specified Periodic 1 region (also specified in the Turbo Regions frame).
• From Line
When From Line is specified for a particular curve, you must provide a polyline/line locator for
that curve. You must use the latter method for every curve that cannot be derived by the first
method (for example, because one or more Turbo Regions are not specified).
A line or polyline used to generate a background mesh must follow the entire surface it represents
(along the component). One way in which a polyline can be created is by using the intersection between
a bounded plane (such as a slice plane or a turbo surface of constant Theta) and the appropriate surface
(for example, the hub surface). Before the polyline is used for initialization, is transformed by adjusting
all Theta coordinates to the same value. The Theta coordinates of the polyline, therefore, have no effect;
polylines obtained by intersection with a plane need not use a constant-Theta plane. If you cannot form
the polyline easily, you can save pieces of the polyline to a series of files, use an editor to consolidate
the parts, and then reload the edited file. For details, see:
• Line Command (p. 154)
• Polyline Command (p. 177).
13.3.5.1.2.3. Types of Background Mesh
Two methods are offered for creation of the background mesh:
• Linear
• Quasi Orthogonal
Turbo View Shortcuts
The figure on the left shows a background mesh (for clarity, Density was set to 200) using the Linear
method, while the figure on the right shows the mesh using the Orthogonal (default) method. As can
be seen from pictures, the Quasi Orthogonal method offers a higher-quality meridional space repres-
entation, especially in highly curved passages.
13.3.5.1.2.4. Density of the Background Mesh
The density of the background mesh influences the accuracy of the representation of the meridional
space and, therefore, the accuracy of the nonlinear coordinate transformations. The default offered for
Density should be sufficient in most cases.
13.3.5.2. Instancing Tab

Instancing settings are used to display multiple instances of objects. For example, if there are two turbo
components, with the instancing information for component 1 specifying one copy, and the instancing
information for component 2 specifying ten copies, then a turbo surface of constant span that covers
both components will show, by default, one copy of the portion generated for component 1, and ten
copies of the portion generated for component 2.
The Instancing tab for a turbo component is the same as the Instancing tab for a domain (see Instancing
Tab (p. 27)) and similar to the Definition tab for an Instance Transform object (see Instance Transform:
Definition Tab (p. 214)). (The Definition tab for an Instance Transform object is different in that its Axis
Definition settings and Instance Definition settings cannot be set from a results file.)
By default, the Axis Definition and Instance Definition settings are automatically determined from
the results file. To set your own axis definition, set Axis Definition to Custom. To set your own instance
definition, set Instance Definition to Custom.
The instancing information specified for a component applies to graphic objects (or parts thereof )
generated over the component. In order for this instancing information to apply to a graphic object:
• At least part of the graphic object must be generated using data from the component (that is, there must
be an association between the graphic object and the component).
• The graphic object must have Apply Instancing Transform selected and Transform set to an Instance
Transform that has Instancing Info From Domain selected.
The instancing information for a component is the same as the instancing information for the compon-
ent’s domain, and the instancing information for any other component in the same domain.
13.4. Turbo View Shortcuts

The following table shows commands that are specific to the Turbo tree view. To access these commands,
right-click the appropriate elements in the Turbo tree view.
For a list of the other commands that appear in the Turbo tree view (and in most tree views), see
Common Tree View Shortcuts (p. 16).
Command Description
Initialize Initializes the selected turbo components. For details, see Individual Component
Initialization (Advanced Feature) (p. 296).
Uninitialize Uninitializes the selected turbo components. For details, see Uninitializing
Components (p. 296).
Turbo Workspace
Command Description
Initialize All Initializes all turbo components. For details, see Initialize All Components (p. 295).
Uninitialize All Uninitializes all turbo components. For details, see Uninitializing
Components (p. 296).
Show in Separate Displays the selected plot or chart in its own window.
Window
Promote to Gener- Copies the selected plot object and any required supporting objects (for example,
al Mode a line locator) to the Outline workspace. This would enable, for example, the
selected plot to be included in a report.
13.5. Turbo Surface

Turbo surfaces are graphic objects that can be viewed and used as locators, just like other graphic objects.
To create a turbo surface, select Insert > Location > Turbo Surface from the menu bar. After you enter
a name in the new Turbo Surface dialog box and click OK, the details view for the turbo surface will
appear.
Note
Blade Aligned Turbo Surfaces can fail due to the following limitations:
• The extraction of leading and trailing edges of the blade is sensitive to tip clearance and to the
curvature of the edges.
• The normalization of coordinates is sensitive to blade extend comparing to inlet and outlet extend
(that is, when the edges are too close to inlet/outlet).
You can always use the Streamwise Location coordinate when the quality of the blade aligned
coordinates are in doubt.
13.5.1. Turbo Surface: Geometry

Options available for Definition are:
• Constant Span
• Constant Streamwise Location
• Constant Blade Aligned
• Constant Blade Aligned Linear
• Constant Theta
• Cone
The Constant Span, Constant Streamwise Location, and Constant Theta options are
similar to planes in that they can be bounded and have Slice or Sample types. For details, see
Type (p. 302).
Turbo Surface
13.5.1.1. Domains
See Selecting Domains (p. 19).
• Constant Span creates a surface at a fractional span value between the hub and shroud. For details, see
Span Normalized (p. 305).
• Constant Streamwise Location creates a surface at a fractional streamwise distance between the
inlet and outlet. For details, see Streamwise Location (p. 305).
• Constant Blade Aligned create surfaces that is aligned with the leading and trailing edges of the
blade. If the blade is curved, the surfaces will also be curved.
• Constant Blade Aligned Linear create surfaces that is aligned with the leading and trailing edges
of the blade. If the blade is curved, the surfaces will be flat and aligned to run through the middle of the
curves.
• Constant Theta creates a surface at a specific Theta value. For details, see Theta (p. 305).
• Cone uses the two supplied points to create a line. The cone is created where the user-defined line intersects
the axis of rotation and Point 2:
The user-defined line is then rotated about the axis of origin to create the cone. If the line is parallel
to the axis of rotation, a cylinder is created. If the line is normal to the axis of rotation, a disc is created.
Turbo Workspace
The line can be described by Cartesian or cylindrical components. When entering cylindrical coordinates,
only the axial distance and radius are required. The points can be entered or picked directly from the
viewer.
Note
Constant Theta and Cone methods are available even before turbo initialization has
been performed because these methods do not depend on span or streamwise coordinates.
13.5.1.3. Bounds
The available types of Bounds for the Turbo Surface to be created can be seen by clicking next to
the Type box.
• When None is selected, the Turbo Surface cuts through a complete cross-section of each domain specified
in the Domains list. The Turbo Surface is bounded only by the limits of the domain.
• Using Rectangular, you can enter the maximum and minimum value for the two dimensions on the
Turbo Surface. The Turbo Surface is undefined in areas where the rectangle extends outside of the domains
specified in the Domains list.
The Invert Surface Bounds check box reverses the effect of the surface bound. The surface is defined
only in regions outside the bounding constraints.
13.5.1.4. Type
You can set the Type to either Slice or Sample.
Slice extends the Turbo Surface in all directions until it reaches the edge of the domain. Points on
the Turbo Surface correspond to points where the Turbo Surface intersects an edge of the mesh. As
a result, the number of points in a slice Turbo Surface is indirectly proportional to the mesh spacing.
Sample creates the Turbo Surface with rectangular bounds. The density of points on the Turbo Surface
corresponds to the size of the bounds for your Turbo Surface in each of the Turbo Surface directions,
and the value in the Samples box for each of the two directions that describe the Turbo Surface. You
can type in the value in the Samples box, increase or decrease the value by 1 by clicking or re-
spectively, or use the embedded slider (which has a maximum value of 998 and a minimum value of
2). A sample Turbo Surface is a set of evenly-spaced points which are independent of the mesh spacing.
13.5.2. Turbo Surface: Common Tabs

You can adjust the other Turbo Surface settings on tabs that are common to other features in CFD-Post:
13.5.2.1. Turbo Surface: Color

To change the color settings, click the Color tab. For details, see Color Tab (p. 19).
13.5.2.2. Turbo Surface: Render

Turbo Line
13.5.2.3. Turbo Surface: View

To change the view settings, click the View tab. For details, see View Tab (p. 26).
13.6. Turbo Line

Turbo lines are graphic objects that can be viewed and used as locators, just like other graphic objects.
To create a turbo line, select Insert > Location > Turbo Line from the menu bar. After entering a name
in the new Turbo Line dialog box, the details view for the turbo line will appear.
13.6.1. Turbo Line: Geometry

Set the following:
1. Set the applicable Domains as described in Selecting Domains (p. 19).
2. Define the line. The options available for the Method are:
• Inlet to Outlet, which creates a line at specific Span Normalized (p. 305) and Theta (p. 305) value, over a
range of streamwise values.
Select the number of points along the line per component with the value you enter in the
Samples/Comp box. The sample line is a set of evenly-spaced sampling points that are independent
of the mesh spacing.
• Hub to Shroud, which creates a line of a specific Mode at a specific Theta (p. 305) value. The method for
creating a line in this way is the same as for the locator line in a hub-to-shroud turbo chart. For details
on the possible Mode settings, see Hub to Shroud Turbo Charts (p. 309).
Tip
If you set a mesh-density based turbo line and want to be able to see the points of
analysis so that you can set an appropriate amount of reduction, you can create a
vector (Insert > Vector) and define its Location to be the turbo line.
• Circumferential, which creates a line at specific streamwise and span values, over a range of Theta values.
The number of samples is required. The number of points along the line will correspond to the value
you enter in the Samples box. The sample line is a set of evenly-spaced sampling points that are inde-
pendent of the mesh spacing. For details, see:
– Streamwise Location (p. 305)
– Span Normalized (p. 305).
3. For Inlet to Outlet and Circumferential, set the Bounds.
• When None is selected, the Turbo Line is restricted to only the parameters specified in the Definition
section of the form. The Turbo Line is not bounded by the limits of the domain if the conditions you
specify describe locations outside of the domain.
Turbo Workspace
• When End Points is selected, you can define the ends of the Turbo Line by entering the maximum
and minimum for the dimension making up the line. The Turbo Line is visible but will be colored with
an undefined color in areas where the line extends outside of the domains specified in the Domains list.
13.6.2. Turbo Line: Common Tabs

You can adjust the other Turbo Surface settings on tabs that are common to other features in CFD-Post:
13.6.2.1. Turbo Line: Color

To change the color settings, click the Color tab. For details, see Color Tab (p. 19).
13.6.2.2. Turbo Line: Render

13.6.2.3. Turbo Line: View

To change the view settings, click the View tab. For details, see View Tab (p. 26).
13.7. Turbo Plots

13.7.1. Introduction to Turbo Plots
13.7.2. Initialization Three Views
13.7.3. 3D View Object
13.7.4. Blade-to-Blade Object
13.7.5. Meridional Object
13.7.6.Turbo Charts
13.7.1. Introduction to Turbo Plots

Each turbo plot appears in the Turbo tree view under Plots, and can be edited.
13.7.1.1. Show Faces/Show Mesh Lines

Double-click 3D View and choose to view the faces (Show Faces) or the edges of the mesh elements
(Show Mesh Lines) by enabling the appropriate toggles.
13.7.1.2. Graphical Instancing

The instancing information has already been entered during the initialization phase. You can opt to
show instancing for the plots in each domain by changing the # of Copies. For details, see Instancing
Tab (p. 299).
13.7.1.3. Turbo Measurements

13.7.1.3.1. Span
Span is the distance from hub region in length units.
Turbo Plots
13.7.1.3.2. Span Direction

Span Direction is a unit vector pointing along the direction of span coordinate for each mesh node,
based on the background mesh.
13.7.1.3.3. Span Normalized

Span Normalized defines the dimensionless distance (between 0 and 1) from the hub to the shroud.
For example, if the distance between the hub and shroud in a straight duct is 0.1 m, a span of 0.9 would
describe a location 0.09 m from the hub and 0.01 m away from the shroud.
13.7.1.3.4. Streamwise Location

Streamwise location is the dimensionless distance from the inlet to the outlet. It ranges from 0 to 1 for
the first component, 1 to 2 for the second, and so on. For example, in a single domain case, if the distance
between the inlet and the outlet in a straight duct is 1 m, a streamwise location of 0.4 would describe
a location 0.4 m from the inlet and 0.6 m away from the outlet. If the same duct were the second
component in a multi-component case, the same location would then be expressed as a streamwise
location of 1.4.
13.7.1.3.5. Theta
Theta is the angular coordinate measured about the axis of rotation following the right-hand rule.
The Theta variable is intentionally generated by CFD-Post to have the following two properties:
• A minimum Theta value of zero (at the inlet).
• Continuously increasing values of Theta independent of the total blade wrap. This is particularly useful for
high-wrap blades.
Because of these properties, the Theta variable generated in CFD-Post is most likely different than that
of a user-defined expression based on the Cartesian coordinates.
After turbo initialization, the Theta range starts at a small but non-zero value. To set the Theta range
to exactly zero, use the command >turbo update_theta.
13.7.1.3.6. Advanced: Position of Zero Theta

The position of zero Theta (Theta = 0°) relative to the global coordinate system depends on the loaded
case. For geometries that define a partial machine (not full 360°), zero Theta is at the geometry point
with the lowest angle following the right-hand rule. For full 360° geometries, zero Theta is generally at
an arbitrary position. You can specify zero Theta via an environment variable. For details, see Setting
CFD-Post Operation Through Environment Variables (p. 7).
13.7.2. Initialization Three Views

If you double-click Initialization in the Turbo tree view, the Initialization editor appears and a Three
Views toggle will be available. Selecting this toggle causes the viewer to show three viewports that
have the following views:
• A 3D View, which is described in 3D View Object (p. 306), is the same as the standard viewer, with 3D manip-
ulation available using the rotate, translate and zoom functions.
Turbo Workspace
• A Blade-to-Blade 2D view, which is described in Blade-to-Blade Object (p. 306). The horizontal axis shows
streamwise location and the vertical axis shows Theta. The 2D view enables translation, zoom, and rotation
around the axis normal to the blade-to-blade view. Other rotations are not possible.
• A Meridional 2D view, which is described in Meridional Object (p. 307). The horizontal axis shows axial distance
and the vertical axis shows the radius. The view will allow the same transformations as the blade-to-blade
view, with rotation possible around the axis normal to the meridional view.
The three views listed above are also listed in the Turbo tree view as objects under Plots. The Blade-
to-Blade and Meridional objects can be copied into the Outline tree view by right-clicking and selecting
Promote to General Mode.
13.7.3. 3D View Object

3D View is used to draw regions of the turbo assembly for visualization purposes. It is not intended to
be the basis for quantitative calculations. Select the regions that you want to draw.
After creating the blade-to-blade object (select the Three Views toggle in the Initialization object), you
can view the blade-to-blade object in the 3D View object by setting the appropriate option in the 3D
View object.
Note that you can view chart location lines in the 3D View object by setting the appropriate option in
the 3D View object.
13.7.4. Blade-to-Blade Object

The Blade-to-Blade object is used to view plots on a surface of constant span. The surface is displayed
in the Cartesian (X-Y-Z) and Blade to Blade views.
1. Select the Domain(s).
To select more than one domain, click the multiple select icon and pick the entities.
2. Choose the fractional Span (0 to 1) where the plot is located. The Plot Type can be one of the following:
• Color (p. 307)
• Contour (p. 307)
• Vector (p. 307)
• Stream (p. 307)
3. Select a color if Color By Variable is not chosen as the Plot Type.
For details, see Graphical Instancing (p. 304).
13.7.4.1. Span
Set the fractional distance between the hub and shroud. For details, see Span Normalized (p. 305).
Turbo Plots
13.7.4.2. Angular Shift

The Angular Shift parameter moves the blade-to-blade plot along the Theta coordinate. This is useful
to control the point of splitting in high wrap turbo cases. It does not affect the data; this is purely a
rendering feature.
13.7.4.3. Plot Type

13.7.4.3.1. Color
The Color option displays variable values using a color legend. It requires the specification of a variable,
range and the option of using hybrid or conservative values. For details, see:
• Mode: Variable and Use Plot Variable (p. 20)
• Graphical Instancing (p. 304).
13.7.4.3.2. Contour
Contour lines are drawn on the location described by the surface plot. Additional information on the
option is available in Contour Command (p. 189).
13.7.4.3.3. Vector
A vector plot is created on the location described by the surface plot. For details, see Vector Com-
mand (p. 186).
13.7.4.3.4. Stream
A plot of streamlines are drawn on the location described by the surface plot. For details, see Streamline
Command (p. 193).
13.7.5. Meridional Object

The Meridional object is used to view plots on an axial-radial plane. A surface of constant Theta at 0
degrees is created. The surface is displayed in the Cartesian (X-Y-Z) and Meridional (A-R) viewports.
1. Specify the applicable domains.
To select multiple domains, click the Location editor icon (beside the Domains setting) then use
Shift and/or Ctrl while selecting domains.
2. Choose the number of Stream Samples and Span Samples.
Note that, for the Meridional object, sampling points are always distributed by equal distance.
3. Choose from: Outline, Color, Contour, or Vector plot types.
In order to obtain values for variables on the meridional surface, circumferential averaging is used. The
types of circumferential averaging are:
• Length
Turbo Workspace
Circumferential averaging is carried out in the same way as for a Hub to Shroud turbo chart (see
Circumferential Averaging by Length: Hub to Shroud Turbo Chart (p. 315)) except that the sampling
points are always distributed by equal distance.
• Area (default)
A variable value at each sampling point is calculated as an area average over the corresponding cir-
cular band. The band is constructed as for a Hub to Shroud turbo chart (see Circumferential Averaging
by Area: Hub to Shroud Turbo Chart (p. 315)) except that the sampling points are always distributed
by equal distance.
• Mass
A variable value at each sampling point is calculated as a mass flow average over the corresponding
circular band. The band is constructed as for a Hub to Shroud turbo chart (see Circumferential Aver-
aging by Mass Flow: Hub to Shroud Turbo Chart (p. 315)) except that the sampling points are always
distributed by equal distance.
Toggles are available to show the following:
• Blade wireframe
• Sample mesh
• Chart location lines
13.7.6. Turbo Charts

The following turbo charts are available:
13.7.6.1. Blade Loading Turbo Charts
13.7.6.2. Circumferential Turbo Charts
13.7.6.3. Hub to Shroud Turbo Charts
13.7.6.4. Inlet to Outlet Turbo Charts
13.7.6.1. Blade Loading Turbo Charts

The Blade Loading feature plots pressure (or another chosen variable) on the blade at a given spanwise
location. A polyline is created at the given spanwise location.
A special variable, Streamwise (0-1) is available as the X Variable used in blade loading plots.
This is a streamwise coordinate that follows the blade surface; it can be used as a substitute for the
axial coordinate (for example, X) or the variable Chart Count. The streamwise coordinate is based
on the meridional coordinate, and is normalized so that it ranges from 0 at the leading edge to 1 at
the trailing edge of the blade.
13.7.6.2. Circumferential Turbo Charts

Select a streamwise and spanwise location and a number of sampling points.
Note
The Theta extents of the chart line are set to the Theta extents of the domain or, in the case
of data instancing, the Theta extents of the expanded set of domains. Some of the sample
Turbo Plots
points may fall outside the domain. To see the circumferential chart line, edit the Plots >
3D View object and turn on Show chart location lines.
13.7.6.3. Hub to Shroud Turbo Charts

Hub to Shroud has the following options:
13.7.6.3.1. Single Line vs.Two Lines
13.7.6.3.2. Display
13.7.6.3.3. Mode
13.7.6.3.4. Point Type
13.7.6.3.5.Theta
13.7.6.3.6. Samples
13.7.6.3.7. Streamwise
13.7.6.3.8. Distribution
13.7.6.3.9. X/Y Variable
13.7.6.3.10. Circumferential Averaging by Length: Hub to Shroud Turbo Chart
13.7.6.3.11. Circumferential Averaging by Area: Hub to Shroud Turbo Chart
13.7.6.3.12. Circumferential Averaging by Mass Flow: Hub to Shroud Turbo Chart
13.7.6.3.13. Linear BA Streamwise Location Coordinates
13.7.6.3.14. BA Streamwise Location Coordinates
13.7.6.3.1. Single Line vs. Two Lines

Select either Single Line or, to perform a comparison between two streamwise locations on a hub-
to-shroud plot, to Two Lines.
13.7.6.3.2. Display
If you have selected Two Lines, you can set Display to:
• Separate Lines
Displays the two lines without performing any comparisons.
• Difference (S2–S1)
Displays the difference in the circumferentially averaged variable between the two locations, relative
to the first line’s location.
• Ratio (S2/S1)
Displays the ratio of the difference in the circumferentially averaged variable between the two locations,
relative to the first line’s location.
When Display is set to Difference (S2–S1) or Ratio (S2/S1), you can set the Compare option
to X Values or to Y Values. The selected values will be compared between the two lines.
13.7.6.3.3. Mode
Set Mode to one of the following options:
• Two Points Linear
Turbo Workspace
The Two Points Linear option causes the hub-to-shroud line to be a straight line, specified by
two points: one on the hub and one on the shroud. The Point Type setting (described below) specifies
the coordinate system for interpreting the specified points.
• Blade Aligned Linear
The Blade Aligned Linear option causes the hub-to-shroud line to be specified by a curve of
constant Linear BA Streamwise Location coordinate. For details, see Linear BA Streamwise Location
Coordinates (p. 315).
• Blade Aligned
The Blade Aligned option causes the hub-to-shroud line to be specified by a curve of constant
BA Streamwise Location coordinate. For details, see BA Streamwise Location Coordinates (p. 316).
• Streamwise Location
The Streamwise Location option causes the hub-to-shroud line to be specified by a curve of
constant streamwise coordinate. Here, the streamwise coordinate system is derived from a “background
mesh”. For details, see Background Mesh Frame (p. 297).
Note
• Blade Aligned coordinates may not always be available, depending on the case geometry. In
particular, if the blade tip clearance is large or uneven between the leading and trailing edges,
CFD-Post may not be able to detect the blade edge lines. In this case you will not be able to use
Blade Aligned coordinates in turbo surface or turbo chart specification.
• In turbo line, turbo surface, and related editors, the Blade Aligned coordinate values that you
enter in the input fields (and the related CCL parameters) are normalized to the blade's leading
and trailing edge locations with predefined constant references: 0.25 and 0.75 are taken to be
the blades leading and trailing edges, respectively. The normalization of the input values is to
enable a consistent reference to the leading and trailing edges regardless of specific cases. These
values are conventions, not real blade aligned coordinated values; the normalized values are
translated by the engine to create the real Blade Aligned coordinate values before constructing
turbo lines and turbo surfaces.
13.7.6.3.4. Point Type

The Point Type setting is applicable when Mode is set to Two Points Linear. It controls the co-
ordinate system for defining the specified hub and shroud point coordinates. The options for Point
Type are:
• AR
When the AR option is selected, the hub and shroud points are specified in AR (axial, radial) coordin-
ates.
• XYZ
When the XYZ option is selected, you specify the x, y, and z coordinates of the line's end points.
• Blade Aligned Linear
Turbo Plots
When the Blade Aligned Linear option is selected, the hub and shroud points are specified,
each by a single Linear BA Streamwise Location coordinate. For details, see Linear BA Streamwise
Location Coordinates (p. 315).
• Streamwise Location
When the Streamwise Location option is selected, the hub and shroud points are specified,
each by a single streamwise coordinate. Here, the streamwise coordinate system is derived from a
“background mesh”. For details, see Background Mesh Frame (p. 297).
13.7.6.3.5. Theta
The Theta (p. 305) setting is available with the Hub to Shroud methods.
13.7.6.3.6. Samples
The Samples setting controls the number of sampling points between the hub and shroud.
13.7.6.3.7. Streamwise
The Streamwise fields enable you to set the locations to compare when Display is set to Difference
or Ratio.
13.7.6.3.8. Distribution
Each sampling point value is evaluated from a corresponding circular band. The Distribution setting
controls how the sampling points and their corresponding bands are distributed from hub to shroud
(at the same streamwise coordinate).
The Distribution options are:
• Equal Distance
The Equal Distance option (default) causes the sampling points to be distributed at uniform
distances along a hub-to-shroud path. For circumferential averaging purposes, contiguous circular
Turbo Workspace
bands are internally constructed, one for each sampling point, concentric about the rotation axis,
width-centered (in the spanwise direction) about each sampling point, each band having the same
width or spanwise extent.
• Equal Mass Flow
The Equal Mass Flow option causes the sampling points to be distributed along a hub-to-shroud
path such that contiguous circular bands can be internally constructed, one for each sampling point,
concentric about the rotation axis, width-centered (in the spanwise direction) about each sampling
point, with an equal mass flow through each band (except possibly the first and last bands). See Include
Boundary Points, below.
Note
CFD-Post cannot create an Equal Mass Flow point distribution for some cases:
– When there is a cross-section recirculation and the total mass flow on the section is near zero,
the point distribution will fail.
– When there is a mass flow 'spike' on the section (usually this is caused by an ill-defined solution),
the equal mass distribution will be impractical.
– When too many sample points are requested over a small area.
• Equal Area
Turbo Plots
The Equal Area option causes the sampling points to be distributed along a hub-to-shroud path
such that contiguous circular bands can be internally constructed, one for each sampling point,
concentric about the rotation axis, width-centered (in the spanwise direction) about each sampling
point, with an equal area for each band (except possibly the first and last bands). See Include
Boundary Points, below.
• Mesh Density Based
The Mesh Density Based option causes the sampling points to be distributed along a hub-to-
shroud path such that the sampling point density is proportional to the mesh node density along
either
– the intersection of the inlet with the periodic surface, or
Turbo Workspace
– the intersection of the outlet with the periodic surface,
whichever of these paths has a greater number of nodes.
The following settings are available:
– Max. Number of Points > Max. Points
The Max. Points setting controls the number of points of analysis.
– Reduction Factor > Factor
The Factor setting specifies the ratio of mesh nodes to sampling points along the hub-to-shroud
path. A value of 1 causes one sampling point to be created per mesh node. You can reduce the
computational time by setting a larger reduction factor.
Note
For Two-Line Hub to Shroud plots, you may not be able to create Difference and Ratio
plots using Reduction Factor if the two lines are in different domains.
When Distribution is set to Equal Mass Flow or Equal Area, the Include Boundary Points
option is available. This option shifts all of the bands so that the first and last sampling points are on
the hub and shroud. The first and last bands are then “half” the size of the other bands (in terms of the
particular measure used in the band construction: distance, mass flow, or area). See Figure 13.1: Sampling
Point Distribution with Include Boundary Nodes Option (p. 314).
Figure 13.1: Sampling Point Distribution with Include Boundary Nodes Option
13.7.6.3.9. X/Y Variable

Choose X and Y variables for the chart axes from the list.
Turbo Plots
13.7.6.3.10. Circumferential Averaging by Length: Hub to Shroud Turbo Chart

When the Circ. Average setting is set to Length, circumferential averaging of values at a sampling
point is carried out internally by forming a circular arc, centered about the rotation axis, passing through
the sampling point. Values are interpolated to n equally-spaced locations along the arc, using values
from nearby nodes, where n is a number that is inversely proportional to the mesh length scale, and
limited by the Max. Samples setting. The n values are then averaged in order to obtain a single, circum-
ferentially-averaged value for the sampling point.
Figure 13.2: Circumferential Averaging by Length
13.7.6.3.11. Circumferential Averaging by Area: Hub to Shroud Turbo Chart

When the Circ. Average setting is set to Area, a variable value at each sampling point is calculated
as an area average over the corresponding circular band that was internally constructed as part of the
process of distributing the sampling points. For details, see Distribution (p. 311).
13.7.6.3.12. Circumferential Averaging by Mass Flow: Hub to Shroud Turbo Chart

When the Circ. Average setting is set to Mass, a variable value at each sampling point is calculated
as a mass flow average over the corresponding circular band that was internally constructed as part of
the process of distributing the sampling points. For details, see Distribution (p. 311).
13.7.6.3.13. Linear BA Streamwise Location Coordinates

The Linear BA Streamwise Linear coordinates are defined as 0 (zero) at the inlet, 0.25 at a straight
line that approximates the blade leading edge, 0.75 at a similar line for the trailing edge, and 1.0 at the
outlet, adding 1.0 for each successive turbomachinery component downstream of the first. Dashed lines
in Figure 13.3: Blade Aligned Linear Coordinates (p. 316) show constant values of Linear BA Streamwise
Linear coordinate.
For more details on the convention that 0.25 and 0.75 are taken to be the blades leading and trailing
edges, see Mode (p. 309).
Turbo Workspace
Figure 13.3: Blade Aligned Linear Coordinates
13.7.6.3.14. BA Streamwise Location Coordinates

The BA Streamwise Location coordinates are defined as 0 (zero) at the inlet, 0.25 at the blade leading
edge, 0.75 at the trailing edge, and 1.0 at the outlet, adding 1.0 for each successive turbomachinery
component downstream of the first.
For more details on the convention that 0.25 and 0.75 are taken to be the blades leading and trailing
edges, see Mode (p. 309).
Figure 13.4: Blade Aligned Coordinates
13.7.6.4. Inlet to Outlet Turbo Charts

The distance between sampling points between the inlet and outlet is controlled by the number you
enter in the Samples box. Choose X and Y variables for the chart axes from the list.
Turbo Macros
13.7.6.4.1. Circumferential Averaging by Length: Inlet to Outlet Turbo Chart

When the Circ. Average setting is set to Length, circumferential averaging of values is carried out
internally by creating arcs through sampling about the rotation axis. Values are interpolated to n equally-
spaced locations along the arc, using values from nearby nodes, where n is a number that is inversely
proportional to the mesh length scale, and limited by the Max. Samples setting. The n values are then
averaged in order to obtain a single, circumferentially-averaged value for the sampling point.
13.7.6.4.2. Circumferential Averaging by Area or Mass: Inlet to Outlet Turbo Chart

When performing area average or mass-flow average calculations, surfaces of constant-streamwise co-
ordinate are used to carry out the averaging. Each surface passes through its associated sampling point,
as shown in Figure 13.5: Inlet to Outlet Sample Points (p. 317).
Figure 13.5: Inlet to Outlet Sample Points
13.8. Turbo Macros

Select the macro of choice from the Turbo tree view.
Note
Turbo initialization automatically sets up the performance macros in such a way that you
have to define only a limited number of parameters. For details, see:
• Gas Compressor Performance Macro (p. 270).
• Gas Turbine Performance Macro (p. 271)
• Liquid Pump Performance Macro (p. 272)
• Liquid Turbine Performance Macro (p. 273)
• Fan Noise Macro (p. 274).
Turbo Workspace
13.9. Calculate Velocity Components

The Calculate Velocity Components button on the Initialization object can be used to calculate
velocity component (and other) variables pertinent to turbo simulations. These variables are listed in
Table 13.1: Generated Variables (p. 318) and illustrated in Figure 13.6: Axial, Radial, Circumferential, and
Meridional Velocity Components (p. 320), Figure 13.7: Velocity Components in Meridional Plane (p. 321),
Figure 13.8: Streamwise, Spanwise, Circumferential, and Blade-to-Blade Velocity Components (p. 322),
Figure 13.9: Velocity Components in Blade-To-Blade Plane (p. 323), and Figure 13.10: Velocity Flow Angle
Sign in Each Quadrant on the Blade-to-Blade Plane (p. 324). The relationship between the velocity
components is described in Equation 13.1 (p. 320), Equation 13.2 (p. 322), and Equation 13.3 (p. 323).
Note
To get velocity units for tip speed derived from R and Omega quantities, you can divide the
expression by 1 [rad] to eliminate the angle units from the expression. For example, use:
tipVel = Radius * omega / 1 [rad]
Table 13.1: Generated Variables
Variable Type Description

Name
Velocity Axial Scalar The velocity component in the axial direction. It is positive when the
velocity is in the direction of increasing axial coordinate. For details,
see Figure 13.6: Axial, Radial, Circumferential, and Meridional Velocity
Components (p. 320) and Figure 13.7: Velocity Components in
Meridional Plane (p. 321).
Velocity Scalar The velocity component in the radial direction. It is positive when the
Radial velocity is in the direction of increasing radial coordinate. For details,
see Figure 13.6: Axial, Radial, Circumferential, and Meridional Velocity
Components (p. 320) and Figure 13.7: Velocity Components in
Meridional Plane (p. 321).
Velocity Scalar The velocity component in the Theta direction. It is positive when the
Circumferential velocity is in the direction of increasing Theta (for details, see
Theta (p. 305)). For details, see Figure 13.6: Axial, Radial, Circumferential,
and Meridional Velocity Components (p. 320).
Velocity Scalar The velocity component in the spanwise direction. It is positive when
Spanwise the velocity is in the direction of increasing spanwise coordinate. For
details, see Figure 13.7: Velocity Components in Meridional
Plane (p. 321) and Figure 13.8: Streamwise, Spanwise, Circumferential,
and Blade-to-Blade Velocity Components (p. 322).
Velocity Scalar The velocity component in the streamwise direction. It is positive
Streamwise when the velocity is in the direction of increasing streamwise
coordinate. For details, see Figure 13.7: Velocity Components in
Meridional Plane (p. 321), Figure 13.8: Streamwise, Spanwise,
Circumferential, and Blade-to-Blade Velocity Components (p. 322), and
Figure 13.9: Velocity Components in Blade-To-Blade Plane (p. 323).
Velocity Vector The vector sum of the axial and radial vector components of velocity.
Meridional It lies in the meridional plane. For details, see Figure 13.6: Axial, Radial,
Circumferential, and Meridional Velocity Components (p. 320),
Calculate Velocity Components
Variable Type Description

Name
Figure 13.7: Velocity Components in Meridional Plane (p. 321), and
Equation 13.1 (p. 320).
Velocity Vector The vector sum of the circumferential and streamwise vector
Blade-to-Blade components of velocity. It lies in the blade-to-blade plane. For details,
see Figure 13.8: Streamwise, Spanwise, Circumferential, and
Blade-to-Blade Velocity Components (p. 322), Figure 13.9: Velocity
Components in Blade-To-Blade Plane (p. 323), Figure 13.10: Velocity
Flow Angle Sign in Each Quadrant on the Blade-to-Blade Plane (p. 324),
and Equation 13.2 (p. 322).
Velocity Flow Scalar The angle between the blade-to-blade and circumferential velocity
Angle vector components. For details, see Figure 13.10: Velocity Flow Angle
Sign in Each Quadrant on the Blade-to-Blade Plane (p. 324).
Turbo Workspace
Figure 13.6: Axial, Radial, Circumferential, and Meridional Velocity Components
The velocity in the meridional plane can be represented by axial and radial components or streamwise
and spanwise components:
(13.1)
Figure 13.7: Velocity Components in Meridional Plane
Turbo Workspace
Figure 13.8: Streamwise, Spanwise, Circumferential, and Blade-to-Blade Velocity Components
The velocity in the blade-to-blade plane can be represented by streamwise and circumferential compon-
ents:
(13.2)
Figure 13.9: Velocity Components in Blade-To-Blade Plane
The velocity components are related as follows:
(13.3)
Axial, radial and meridional velocities are not calculated for Velocity in Stn. Frame because these
components are not different from the regular Velocity components.
Information on calculating velocity components using CCL is available. For details, see Calculating Velocity
Components.
The range of Velocity Flow Angle is from -180° to +180°. Four examples are shown in Figure 13.10: Ve-
locity Flow Angle Sign in Each Quadrant on the Blade-to-Blade Plane (p. 324).
Turbo Workspace
Figure 13.10: Velocity Flow Angle Sign in Each Quadrant on the Blade-to-Blade Plane
13.9.1. Calculating Cylindrical Velocity Components for Non-turbo Cases

If you want to calculate cylindrical velocity components for non-turbo cases, such as for swirling flows
in axisymmetric geometries and mixing tank calculations, you can use the Calculate Velocity Compon-
ents button on the Turbo workspace:
1. Load a results file for an axisymmetric simulation. (You can load a copy of StaticMixer_001.res
(provided with a tutorial) to work through this example.)
2. Select the Turbo tab to open the Turbo workspace. A dialog box asks if you want to auto-initialize all
components, but as this is unnecessary click No.
3. On the Turbo workspace's Initialization area, click Define Global Rotational Axis.
4. In the Define Global Rotational Axis dialog box, select the appropriate axis and click OK. (For the static
mixer example, set Axis to Z.)
5. In the Initialization area, click Calculate Velocity Components. New variables such as Velocity Circum-
ferential become available. (You can see these new variables in the Variables workspace.)
6. Create a plane so that you can display a cylindrical velocity component:
a. From the menu bar, select Insert > Location > Plane. In the dialog box that appears, accept the
default name and click OK.
b. In the details view for Plane 1 on the Geometry tab, ensure that Method is YZ Plane.
c. On the Color tab, set Mode to Variable and Variable to Velocity Circumferential.
d. Click Apply. The plane is colored to show the velocity at each point.
e. Right-click the viewer background and select Predefined Camera > View From +X so that the plane
is easier to see.
Important
Not all axisymmetric cases can have velocity components calculated in this way. In particular,
cases that involve particles (such as smoke) will fail.
Chapter 14: CFX Command Language (CCL) in CFD-Post
CFX Expression Language (CEL) is an interpreted, declarative language that has been developed to enable
CFX users to enhance their simulations without recourse to writing and linking separate external Fortran
routines. You can use CEL expressions anywhere a value is required for input in ANSYS CFX.
The CFX Command Language (CCL) is the internal communication and command language of CFD-Post.
It is a simple language that can be used to create objects or perform actions in the postprocessor. All
CCL statements can be classified into one of three categories:
• Object and parameter definitions, which are described in Object Creation and Deletion (p. 327).
• CCL actions, which are commands that perform a specific task (such as reading a session file), and which
are described in Command Actions.
• Power Syntax programming, which uses the Perl programming language to allow loops, logic, and custom
macros (subroutines). Power Syntax enables you to embed Perl commands into CCL to achieve powerful
quantitative postprocessing. For details, see Power Syntax in ANSYS CFX.
State files and session files contain object definitions in CCL. In addition, session files can also contain
CCL action commands. You can view and modify the CCL in these files by using a text editor, and you
can use CCL to create your own session and state files to read into CFD-Post.
Tip
Advanced users can interact with CFD-Post directly by entering CCL in the Command Editor
dialog box (see Command Editor (p. 291)), or by running CFD-Post in Line Interface mode
(see Line Interface Mode).
For more information, see:
• CFX Command Language (CCL) Syntax
• Object Creation and Deletion (p. 327)
14.1. Object Creation and Deletion

You can create objects in CFD-Post by entering the CCL definition of the object into the Command
Editor dialog box, or by reading the object definition from a session or state file. The object will be
created and any associated graphics shown in the viewer.
You can modify an existing object by entering the object definition with the modified parameter settings
into the Command Editor dialog box. Only those parameters that are to be changed need to be entered.
All other parameters will remain unchanged.
There may be a significant degree of interaction between objects in CFD-Post. For example, a vector
plot may depend on the location of an underlying plane, or an isosurface may depend on the definition
CFX Command Language (CCL) in CFD-Post
of a CEL expression. If changes to one object affect other objects, the other objects will be updated
automatically.
To delete an object, type >delete <ObjectName>. If you delete an object that is used by other
objects, warnings will result, but the object will still be deleted.
Chapter 15: CFX Expression Language (CEL) in CFD-Post
This chapter provides information that is specific to CFX Expression Language (CEL) use in CFD-Post.
For details on the CFX Expression Language, see CFX Expression Language (CEL). A list of variables
available for use in CEL expression is available in Variables and Predefined Expressions Available in CEL
Expressions.
CEL Variables in CFD-Post

Within CFD-Post, you can:
• Create new expressions.
• Set any numeric parameter in a CFD-Post object based on an expression (and the object will update if the
expression result changes).
• Create user-defined variables from expressions.
• Directly use the post-processor quantitative functions in an expression.
• Specify units as part of an expression.
• Use the variables x, y, and z in general CEL expressions. Additionally, you can use user-defined coordinate
frames with the CEL functions. For details, see Quantitative CEL Functions in ANSYS CFX.
However, you cannot use CEL to solve systems of equations in CFD-Post—CEL expressions are purely
algebraic operations.
All expressions in the post-processor are defined in the EXPRESSIONS singleton object (which is also
a sub-object of LIBRARY:CEL). Each expression is a simple name = expression statement within
that object. New expressions are added by defining new parameters within the expressions object (the
EXPRESSIONS object is special in that it does not have a predefined list of valid parameters).
Note
CFD-Post evaluates CEL expressions with single (not double) precision.
Important
Because Power Syntax uses Perl mathematical operators, you should exercise caution when
combining CEL with Power Syntax expressions. For example, in CEL, 22 is represented as
2^2, but in Perl, would be written 2**2. If you are unsure about the validity of an operator
in Perl, consult a Perl reference guide.
CFX Expression Language (CEL) in CFD-Post
15.1. Variables Created by CFD-Post

CFD-Post derives the following variables from the results file; you can use them in expressions or as
plot variables:
Table 15.1: Variables Created by CFD-Post
Name Description
Area This is meaningful only for surface locators (user surface, plane, isosurface,
boundary). The value at each node is equal to the sum of sector areas
associated with the node (a sector area is the portion of area of a face
touching a node that can be associated with that node). There is a function
to sum this variable over a 2D locator to obtain the area of the locator; for
details, see area in the CFX Reference Guide.
Force There is a function for calculating force; for details, see force in the CFX
Reference Guide.
Length This is meaningful only for polyline and line objects. The value on each line
node is equal to the sum of halfs of the two line segments joined at the
node. There is a function to sum this variable over a line locator to obtain
the length of the locator; for details, see length in the CFX Reference Guide.
Mass Flow There is a function for calculating mass flow; for details, see massFlow in
the CFX Reference Guide.
Normal This is meaningful only for surface locators (user surface, plane, isosurface,
boundary). It is a vector variable defining the surface unit normal at each
node in the locator.
Volume This is defined only on volume locators (volume, domain, subdomain). The
value at each node is equal to the sum of the sector volumes associated
with the node (a sector volume is the portion of volume of an element
touching a node that can be associated with that node). There is a function
to sum this variable over a 3D locator to obtain the volume of the locator;
for details, see volume in the CFX Reference Guide.
Chapter 16: Command Actions
You can use command actions to edit or create graphic objects and to perform some typical actions
(such as reading or creating session and state files).

16.1. Overview of Command Actions
16.2. File Operations from the Command Editor Dialog Box
16.3. Quantitative Calculations in the Command Editor Dialog Box
16.4. Other Commands
16.1. Overview of Command Actions

Command action statements are used to force CFD-Post to undertake a specific task, usually related to
the input and output of data from the system. You can use command action statements in a variety of
areas:
• You can enter command action statements into the Tools > Command Editor dialog box. All such actions
must be preceded with the > symbol.
For details on the Command Editor dialog box, see Command Editor. Additional information on
editing and creating graphics objects using the CFX Command Language in the Command Editor
dialog box is available in CFX Command Language (CCL) in CFD-Post.
• Command actions also appear in session files (where they are also preceded by the > character).
• When running CFD-Post in Line Interface mode, the CFX> command prompt is shown in a DOS window
or UNIX shell. All the actions described in this section along with some additional commands can be entered
at the command prompt. You do not have to precede commands with the > symbol when running in Line
Interface mode. Additional information on using Line Interface mode is available in Line Interface
Mode (p. 341).
Note
In addition to command action statements, CCL takes advantage of the full range of capab-
ilities and resources from an existing programming language, Perl. Perl statements can be
embedded in between lines of simple syntax, providing capabilities such as loops, logic, and
much, much more with any CCL input file. These Power Syntax commands are preceded by
the ! symbol. Additional information on using Power Syntax in the Command Editor dialog
box is available in Power Syntax in ANSYS CFX in the CFX Reference Guide.
Many actions require additional information to perform their task (such as the name of a file to load or
the type of file to create). By default, these actions get the necessary information from a specific asso-
ciated CCL singleton object. For convenience, some actions accept a few arguments that are used to
optionally override the commonly changed object settings. If multiple arguments for an action are
specified, they must be separated by a comma (,). Lines starting with the # character are not interpreted
and can be used for comments.
Command Actions
For example, all the settings for >print are read from the HARDCOPY: object. However, if you desire,
you can specify the name of the hardcopy file as an argument to >print. The following CCL example
demonstrates this behavior of actions:
# Define settings for printing
HARDCOPY:
Hardcopy Format= jpg
Hardcopy Filename = default.jpg
Image Scale = 70
White Background = Off
END
#Create an output file based on the settings in HARDCOPY
>print
#Create an identical output file with a different filename.
>print another_file.jpg
16.2. File Operations from the Command Editor Dialog Box

You can enter command action statements into the Tools > Command Editor dialog box. This section
discusses the following actions:
• Loading a Results File (p. 332)
• Reading Session Files (p. 333)
• Saving State Files (p. 333)
• Reading State Files (p. 334)
• Creating a Hardcopy (p. 337)
• Importing External File Formats (p. 337)
• Exporting Data (p. 338)
• Controlling the Viewer (p. 338)
16.2.1. Loading a Results File

You load a results file by using the >load command. The parameter settings for loading the file are
read from the DATA READER object. For simplicity, some parameters may be set via optional parameters
as part of the load command.
>load [filename=<filename>][timestep=<timestep>]
If a timestep is not specified, a value of -1 is assumed (this corresponds to the Final state).
When a results file is loaded, all Domain, Boundary, and Variable objects associated with the results
file are created or updated. Variable objects are created, but the associated data is not actually read
into the post-processor until the variables are used (load-on-demand). Variables will be pre-loaded if
specified in the DATA READER.
16.2.1.1. load Command Examples

The following are example >load commands with the expected results.
>load filename=c:/CFX/tutorials/Buoyancy2DVMI_002.res, timestep=3
File Operations from the Command Editor Dialog Box
This command loads the specified results file at timestep 3.
Tip
If going from a transient to steady-state results file, you should specify the timestep to be -
1 (if this is not the current setting). If you do not explicitly set this, you will get a warning
message stating that the existing timestep does not exist. The -1 timestep will then be loaded.
>load timestep=4
This command loads timestep 4 in the existing results file.
16.2.2. Reading Session Files

>readsession [filename=<filename>]
Performs session file reading and executing. The following option is available:
• filename = <filename>
Specifies the filename and path to the file that should be read and executed. If no filename is specified,
the SESSION singleton object indicates the file to use. If no SESSION singleton exists, an error will
be raised indicating that a filename must be specified.
16.2.2.1. readsession Command Examples

The following are example >readsession commands, and the expected results. If a SESSION singleton
exists, the values of the parameters listed after the session command replaces the values stored in the
SESSION singleton object. For this command, the filename command parameter value replaces the
session filename parameter value in the SESSION singleton.
>readsession
Reads the session file specified in the SESSION singleton, and execute its contents. If the SESSION
object does not exist, an error will be raised indicating that a filename must be specified.
>readsession filename=mysession.cse
Reads and execute the contents of the mysession.cse file.
16.2.3. Saving State Files

>savestate [mode=<none | overwrite>][filename=<filename>]
State files can be used to quickly load a previous state into CFD-Post. State files can be generated
manually using a text editor, or from within CFD-Post by saving a state file. The commands required to
save to these files from the Command Editor dialog box are described below.
The >savestate command is used to write the current CFD-Post state to a file. The >savestate
action supports the following options:
• mode = <none | overwrite>
If mode is none, the executor creates a new state file, and if the specified file exists, an error will be
raised. If mode is overwrite, the executor creates a new state file, and if the file exists, it will be
deleted and replaced with the latest state information.
Command Actions
Specifies the path and name of the file that the state is to be written to. If no filename is specified,
the STATE singleton object will be queried for the filename. If the STATE singleton does not exist,
then an error will be raised indicating that a filename must be specified.
16.2.3.1. savestate Command Examples

The following are example >savestate commands, and the expected results. If a STATE singleton
exists, the values of the parameters listed after the >savestate command replaces the values stored
in the STATE singleton object. For this command, the filename command parameter value replaces
the state filename parameter value in the STATE singleton, and the mode command parameter
value replaces the savestate mode parameter value in the STATE singleton.
>savestate
Writes the current state information to the filename specified in the STATE singleton. If the mode in
the STATE singleton is none, and the filename exists, an error will be returned. If the mode in the
STATE singleton is overwrite, and the filename exists, the existing file will be deleted, and the state
information will be written to the file. If the STATE singleton does not exist, an error will be raised in-
dicating that a filename must be specified.
>savestate mode=none
Writes the current state information to the file specified in the STATE singleton. If the file already exists,
an error will be raised. If the STATE singleton does not exist, an error will be raised indicating that a
filename must be specified.
>savestate mode=overwrite
Writes the current state information to the file specified in the STATE singleton. If the file already exists,
it will be deleted, and the current state information will be saved in its place. If the STATE singleton
does not exist, an error will be raised indicating that a filename must be specified.
>savestate filename=mystate.cst
Writes the current state information to the mystate.cst file. If the STATE singleton exists, and the
savestate mode is set to none, and the file already exists, the command causes an error. If the
savestate mode is set to overwrite, and the file already exists, the file will be deleted, and the
current state information will be saved in its place. If the STATE singleton does not exist, then the
system assumes a savestate mode of none, and behave as described above.
>savestate mode=none, filename=mystate.cst
Writes the current state information to the mystate.cst file. If the file already exists, the command
causes an error.
>savestate mode=overwrite, filename=mystate.cst
Writes the current state information to the mystate.cst file. If the file already exists, it will be deleted,
and the current state information will be saved in its place.
16.2.4. Reading State Files

>readstate [mode=<overwrite | append>][filename=<filename>, load=<true | false>]
The >readstate command loads a CFD-Post state from a specified file.
If a DATA READER singleton has been stored in the state file, the load action will be invoked to load
the contents of the results file.
If a state file contains BOUNDARY objects, and the state file is appended to the current state (with no
new DATA READER object), some boundaries defined may not be valid for the loaded results.
BOUNDARY objects that are not valid for the currently loaded results file will be culled.
>readstate supports the following options:
• mode = <overwrite | append>
If mode is set to overwrite, the executor deletes all the objects that currently exist in the system,
and load the objects saved in the state file. Overwrite mode is the default mode if none is explicitly
specified. If mode is set to append, the executor adds the objects saved in the state file to the objects
that already exist in the system. If the mode is set to append and the state file contains objects that
already exist in the system, the following logic will determine the final result:
If the system has an equivalent object (the name and type), then the object already in the system
will be modified with the parameters saved in the state file. If the system has an equivalent object
in name only, then the object that already exists in the system will be deleted, and replaced with
that in the state file.
The path to the state file.
• load = <true | false>
If load is set to true and a DATA READER object is defined in the state file, then the results file will
be loaded when the state file is read. If load is set to false, the results file will not be loaded, and
the DATA READER object that currently is in the object database (if any) will not be updated.
16.2.4.1. readstate Option Actions

The following table describes the options, and what will happen based on the combination of options
that are selected.
Mode Load What happens to the objects? What

Selection Data happens to
Selection the Data
Reader
Overwrite True All user objects (planes, and so on) get deleted. It gets
The loading of the new results file changes the deleted and
default objects (boundaries, wireframe, and so on) replaced.
including deletion of objects that are no longer
relevant to the new results. Default objects that
are not explicitly modified by object definitions
in the state file will have all user modifiable values
reset to default values.
Overwrite False All user objects get deleted. All default objects If it exists, it
that exist in the state file updates the same remains
objects in the current system state if they exist. unchanged
Default objects in the state file that do not exist regardless
Command Actions
Mode Load What happens to the objects? What

Selection Data happens to
Selection the Data
Reader
in the current state will not be created. All user of what is in
objects in the state file will be created. the state
file.
Append True No objects are initially deleted. The default objects It is
in the state file replaces the existing default modified
objects. User objects will: with new
value from
• Be created if they have a unique name. the state
file.
• Replace existing objects if they have the same name
but different type.
• Update existing objects if they have the same name

and type.
Append False No objects are initially deleted. Default objects in If it exists, it

the state file will only overwrite those in the remains
system if they already exist. User objects have the unchanged
same behavior as the Append/True option above. regardless
of what is in
the state
file.
16.2.4.2. readstate Command Examples

The following are example >readstate commands and their expected results. If a STATE singleton
exists, the values of the parameters listed after the >readstate command replace the values stored
in the STATE singleton object. For this command, the filename command parameter value replaces
the state filename parameter value in the STATE singleton, and the mode command parameter
value replaces the readstate mode parameter value in the STATE singleton.
>readstate filename=mystate.cst
The readstate mode parameter in the STATE singleton determines if the current objects in the
system are deleted before the objects defined in the mystate.cst file are loaded into the system. If
the STATE singleton does not exist, then the system objects are deleted before loading the new state
information.
>readstate mode=overwrite, filename=mystate.cst
Deletes all objects currently in the system, opens the mystate.cst file if it exists, and creates the
objects as stored in the state file.
>readstate mode=append, filename=mystate.cst
Opens the mystate.cst file, if it exists, and adds the objects defined in the file to those already in
the system following the rules specified in the previous table.
>readstate
Overwrites or appends to the objects in the system using the objects defined in the file referenced by
the state filename parameter in the STATE singleton. If the STATE singleton does not exist, an
error will be raised indicating that a filename must be specified.
>readstate mode=overwrite
Overwrites the objects in the system STATE using the objects defined in the file referenced by the
state filename parameter in the STATE singleton. If the STATE singleton does not exist, an error
will be raised indicating that a filename must be specified.
>readstate mode=append
Appends to the objects in the system using the objects defined in the file referenced by the state
filename parameter in the STATE singleton. If the STATE singleton does not exist, an error will be
raised indicating that a filename must be specified.
16.2.5. Solution Monitoring

Typically, you would start solution monitoring after reading a state file, see Reading State Files (p. 334).
The following commands are available for solution monitoring:
>solmon update = [<true/false>]
This command reads solution data up to the last solved iteration into CFD-Post with different behaviour
depending on whether you specify true or false.
• true: Displays the most recent iteration.
• false: Remains at the current iteration.

>solmon autoupdate = [<on/off>]
This command starts or stops solution monitoring auto update. For more information on solution
monitoring control, see CFD-Post Monitor Menu (p. 133).
16.2.6. Creating a Hardcopy

>print [<filename>]
Creates a file of the current viewer contents. Settings for output format, quality, and so on, are read
from the HARDCOPY singleton object.
The optional argument <filename> can be used to specify the name of the output file to override
that stored in HARDCOPY. HARDCOPY must exist before print is executed.
16.2.7. Importing External File Formats

Data import is controlled using the >import command. There are two file types that can be imported:
ANSYS (*.cdb) and Generic (*.csv). The CCL options associated with the >import command are:
>import type=<Ansys | Generic>,
filename=<filename>,
object name=<name of object>,
boundary=<associated boundary>,
conserve flux=<true | false>
type
Indicates whether to import the file as an Ansys file or Generic file.
Command Actions
filename
The name of the file to import.
object name
The name to give the USER SURFACE object that is created as a result of importing the file.
boundary
The name of the CFD-Post boundary/region to associate with the imported ANSYS surface. This association
is used during an ANSYS file import to project data from the ANSYS surface onto the CFD-Post boundary/re-
gion. The same association is used during an ANSYS file export, when data from the CFD-Post boundary/re-
gion is projected back onto the ANSYS surface.
conserve flux
Boolean to indicate whether or not to ensure that the heat fluxes associated with the imported ANSYS
geometry remain conservative relative to the fluxes on the associated CFD-Post Boundary.
16.2.8. Exporting Data

Data export is controlled using the >export command. The names of variables to export, locations to
export, filenames, and so on, are defined in the EXPORT singleton object.
16.2.9. Controlling the Viewer

This section describes how multiple viewports can be accessed using Command Language, and how
they are ordered and named.
The first (top-left) viewport is represented by the VIEWER singleton, while others are VIEWPORT objects.
For example, to modify filtering in the first viewport, changes should be made to the VIEWER singleton.
For all other viewports, changes are made to the VIEWPORT objects, which are numbered from 1-3 in
a clockwise direction.
For example, to filter the top-left viewport:

VIEWER
Draw All Objects=false
Object Name List=Wireframe
END
To filter the bottom-right viewport when all four viewports are active:
VIEWPORT:Viewport 2
Draw All Objects=false
Object Name List=Wireframe
END
The following are examples of viewport layouts:
Other Commands
16.3. Quantitative Calculations in the Command Editor Dialog Box

When executing a calculation from the Command Editor dialog box, the result is displayed in the
Calculator Window.
The >calculate command is used to perform function calculations in the Command Editor dialog
box. Typing >calculate alone performs the calculation using the parameters stored in the CALCU
LATOR singleton object. Entering >calculate <function name> will not work if required argu-
ments are needed by the function.
16.4. Other Commands

• Deleting Objects (p. 340)
• Viewing a Chart (p. 340)
• Turbo Post CCL Command Actions (p. 340)
Command Actions
16.4.1. Deleting Objects

>delete <objectnamelist>
The >delete command can be used in the Command Editor dialog box to delete objects. The command
must be supplied with a list of object names separated by commas. An error message will be displayed
if the list contains any invalid object names, but the deletion of valid objects in the list will still be
processed.
16.4.2. Viewing a Chart

>chart <objectname>
Invokes the Chart Viewer and displays the specified Chart object. Chart objects and Chart Lines are
created like other CCL objects.
16.4.3. Turbo Post CCL Command Actions

16.4.3.1. Calculating Velocity Components
>turbo more vars
Issuing the >turbo more vars command is equivalent to selecting the Calculate Velocity
Components in the Turbo workspace. For details, see Calculate Velocity Components.
16.4.3.2. Initializing all Turbo Components

>turbo init
Issuing the >turbo init command is equivalent to selecting Initialize All Components from the
Turbo menu. For details, see Initialize All Components.
Chapter 17: Line Interface Mode
This chapter contains information on how to perform typical user actions (loading, printing, and so on),
create graphical objects, and perform quantitative calculations when running CFD-Post in Line Interface
mode.
All of the functionality of CFD-Post can be accessed when running in Line Interface mode. In Line Interface
mode, you are simply entering the commands that would otherwise be issued by the user interface. A
viewer is provided in a separate window that will show the geometry and the objects that are created
on the command line.
To run in Line Interface mode:
• Windows: Execute the command <CFXROOT>\bin\cfdpost -line (or <CFDPOSTROOT>\bin\cfd

post -line) at the DOS command prompt (omitting the -line option will start the user interface mode).
You may want to change the size of the MS-DOS window to view the output from commands such
as getstate. This can be done by entering mode con lines=X at the command prompt before
entering CFD-Post, where X is the number of lines to display in the window. You may choose a large
number of lines if you want to be able to see all the output from a session (a scroll bar will appear
in the DOS window). Note that once inside CFD-Post, filepaths should contain a forward slash / (and
not the backslash that is required in MS-DOS).
• UNIX: Execute the command <CFXROOT>/bin/cfdpost -line (or <CFDPOSTROOT>/bin/cfdpost -

line) at the command prompt (omitting the -line option will start the user interface mode).
In CFD-Post Line Interface mode, all commands are assumed to be actions, the > symbol required in
the Command Editor dialog box is not needed. To call up a list of valid commands, type help at the
command prompt.
All of the functionality available from the Command Editor dialog box in the user interface is available
in Line Interface mode by typing enterccl or e at the command prompt. When in e mode, you can
enter any set of valid CCL commands. The commands are not processed until you leave e mode by
typing .e. You can cancel e mode without processing the commands by typing .c. For details, see
Command Editor.
An explanation and list of command actions are available. For details, see Overview of Command Ac-
tions (p. 331). (The action commands shown in this link are preceded by a > symbol. This should be
omitted when entering action commands at the command prompt.)
You can create objects by entering the CCL definition of the object when in e mode, or by reading the
object definition from a session or state file. For details, see File Operations from the Command Editor
Dialog Box (p. 332).
In summary, Line Interface mode differs from the Command Editor dialog box because Line Interface
action commands are not preceded by a > symbol. In the same way, when entering lines of CCL or
Power Syntax, e must be typed (whereas this is not required in the Command Editor dialog box). It
Line Interface Mode
should be noted that these are the only principal differences, and all commands that work for the
Command Editor dialog box will also work in Line Interface mode, providing the correct syntax is used.
17.1. Features Available in Line Interface Mode

The following features are available in line interface mode:
Viewer Hotkeys
The zoom, rotate, pan and other mouse actions available for manipulating the Viewer in the user interface
perform identical functions in the Viewer in Line Interface mode. In addition to this, hotkeys can be used
to manipulate other aspects of the Viewer. For a full list of all the hotkeys available, click in the Viewer to
make it the active window and select the ? icon. To execute a hotkey command, click once in the Viewer
(or on the object, as some functions are object-specific) and type the command.
Calculator
When functions are evaluated from the command line, the result is simply printed to standard output.
For a list of valid calculator functions and required parameters, type calculate help at the
command prompt. Additional information is available; for details, see Quantitative Calculations in
the Command Editor Dialog Box (p. 339).
Viewing All Currently Defined Objects (getstate Command)

The list of all currently defined objects can be obtained using the getstate command. To get details on
a specific object, type getstate <ObjectName>.
Viewing a Chart
You can view a chart object in the Chart Viewer using the chart <ChartObjectName> command.
Repeating CCL Commands

If you want to repeat the most recent CCL command, type: =
Executing a UNIX Shell Command

If you want to carry out a UNIX shell command, type % directly before your command. For example, %ls
will list all the files in your current directory.
Quitting a Command Line Interface Session

To end your CFD-Post command line interface session from the command prompt, enter: quit
Example The following example provides a set of commands that you could enter at the CFX>
command prompt. The output written to the screen when executing these commands is not shown.
CFX> load filename=c:/MyFiles/StaticMixer.res
CFX> getstate StaticMixer Default
CFX> e
BOUNDARY:StaticMixer Default
Visibility = On
Transparency = 0.5
END
.e
CFX> quit
Chapter 18: Fluent Field Variables Listed by Category
By default, CFD-Post does not modify the variable names in the Fluent file. If you want to use all of the
embedded CFD-Post macros and calculation options, you need to convert variable names to CFX types.
You can convert the variable names to CFX variable names by selecting the Translate variable names
to CFX-Solver style names check box in the Edit > Options > Files menu. Translation is carried out
according to the tables that follow, which list the Fluent field variables and gives the equivalent ANSYS
CFX variable, where one exists. The variables are defined in Alphabetical Listing of Field Variables and
Their Definitions in the Fluent User's Guide.
The following restrictions apply to marked variables:
2d available only for 2D flows

2da available only for 2D axisymmetric flows (with or without swirl)
2dasw available only for 2D axisymmetric swirl flows
3d available only for 3D flows
bns available only for broadband noise source models
bnv node values available at boundaries
cpl available only in the density-based solvers
cv available only for cell values (Node Values option turned off )
des available only when the DES turbulence model is used
dil not available with full multicomponent diffusion
do available only when the discrete ordinates radiation model is used
dpm available only for coupled discrete phase calculations
dtrm available only when the discrete transfer radiation model is used
fwh available only with the Ffowcs Williams and Hawkings acoustics model
e available only for energy calculations
edc available only with the EDC model for turbulence-chemistry interaction
emm available also when the Eulerian multiphase model is used
ewt available only with the enhanced wall treatment
gran available only if a granular phase is present
h2o available only when the mixture contains water
id available only when the ideal gas law is enabled for density
ke available only when one of the k-epsilon turbulence models is used
kw available only when one of the k-omega turbulence models is used
les available only when the LES turbulence model is used
melt available only when the melting and solidification model is used
mix available only when the multiphase mixture model is used
Fluent Field Variables Listed by Category
mp available only for multiphase models

nox available only for NOx calculations
np not available in parallel solvers
nv uses explicit node value function
p available only in parallel solvers
p1 available only when the P-1 radiation model is used
pdf available only for non-premixed combustion calculations
pmx available only for premixed combustion calculations
ppmx available only for partially premixed combustion calculations
r available only when the Rosseland radiation model is used
rad available only for radiation heat transfer calculations
rc available only for finite-rate reactions
rsm available only when the Reynolds stress turbulence model is used
s2s available only when the surface-to-surface radiation model is used
sa available only when the Spalart-Allmaras turbulence model is used
seg available only in the pressure-based solver
sp available only for species calculations
sr available only for surface reactions
sol available only when the solar model is used
soot available only for soot calculations
stat available only with data sampling for unsteady statistics
stcm available only for stiff chemistry calculations
t available only for turbulent flows
turbo available only when a turbomachinery topology has been defined
udm available only when a user-defined memory is used
uds available only when a user-defined scalar is used
v available only for viscous flows
Table 18.1: Pressure and Density Categories
Category Fluent Variable CFX Variable

Pressure... Static Pressure (bnv) Pressure
Pressure Coefficient Pressure Coefficient
Dynamic Pressure Dynamic Pressure
Absolute Pressure (bnv) Absolute Pressure
Total Pressure (bnv) Total Pressure
Relative Total Pressure Relative Total Pressure
Density... Density Density
Density All
Table 18.2: Velocity Category

Velocity... Velocity Magnitude (bnv) Velocity
Relative Velocity Magnitude (bnv)

X Velocity (bnv) Velocity u
Relative X Velocity (bnv)

Y Velocity (bnv) Velocity v
Relative Y Velocity (bnv)

Z Velocity (3d, bnv) Velocity w
Relative Z Velocity (bnv)

Swirl Velocity (2dasw, bnv) Velocity Circumferential
Tangential Velocity
Axial Velocity (2da or 3d) Velocity Axial
Radial Velocity Velocity Radial
Stream Function (2d) Stream Function
Tangential Velocity Velocity Circumferential
Mach Number (id) Mach Number
Relative Velocity Magnitude Velocity Magnitude
Relative Axial Velocity (2da) Velocity Axial
Relative Radial Velocity (2da) Velocity Radial
Relative Swirl Velocity (2dasw, bnv) Velocity Circumferential
Relative Tangential Velocity

Relative Mach Number (id) Mach Number
Mach Number
Mesh X-Velocity (nv) Mesh Velocity u
Mesh Y-Velocity (nv) Mesh Velocity v
Mesh Z-Velocity (3d, nv) Mesh Velocity w
Velocity Angle Velocity Angle
Relative Velocity Angle

Vorticity Magnitude (v) Vorticity
Helicity Helicity
X-Vorticity (v, 3d) Vorticity in Stn Frame X

Y-Vorticity (v, 3d) Vorticity in Stn Frame Y
Z-Vorticity (v, 3d) Vorticity in Stn Frame Z
Preconditioning Reference Velocity (cpl) Reference Velocity (Preconditioning)
Table 18.3: Temperature, Radiation, and Solidification/Melting Categories

Temperature... Static Temperature (e, bnv, nv) Temperature
Total Temperature (e, nv) Total Temperature
Enthalpy (e, nv) Static Enthalpy
Relative Total Temperature (e) Total Temperature
Rothalpy (e, nv) Rothalpy
Fine Scale Temperature (edc, nv, e) Fine Scale Temperature
Wall Temperature (Outer Surface) (e, v) Wall Temperature Outer Surface
Wall Temperature (Inner Surface) (e, v) Wall Temperature Inner Surface
Inner Wall Temperature Inner Wall Temperature
Total Enthalpy (e) Total Enthalpy
Total Enthalpy Deviation (e) Total Enthalpy Deviation
Entropy (e) Static Entropy
Total Energy (e) Total Energya
Internal Energy (e) Internal Energy
Radiation... Absorption Coefficient (r, p1, do, or dtrm) Absorption Coefficient
Scattering Coefficient (r, p1, or do) Scattering Coefficient
Refractive Index (do) Refractive Index
Radiation Temperature (p1 or do) Radiation Temperature
Incident Radiation (p1 or do) Incident Radiation
Incident Radiation (Band n) (do (non-gray)) <Band n>.Incident Radiation
Surface Cluster ID (s2s) Surface Cluster ID
Solidification/ Liquid Fraction (melt) Mass Fraction
Melting... Contact Resistivity (melt) Contact Resistivity
X Pull Velocity (melt (if calculated)) Pull Velocity ua
Y Pull Velocity (melt (if calculated)) Pull Velocity va
Z Pull Velocity (melt (if calculated), 3d) Pull Velocity wa
Axial Pull Velocity (melt (if calculated), 2da) Pull Velocity Axiala
Radial Pull Velocity (melt (if calculated), Pull Velocity Radiala
2da)
Swirl Pull Velocity (melt (if calculated), Pull Velocity Circumferentiala
2dasw)
a
CFD-Post naming convention
Table 18.4: Turbulence Category

Turbulence... Turbulent Kinetic Energy (k) (ke, kw, or rsm; Turbulence Kinetic Energy
bnv, nv, or emm)
Turbulent Kinetic Energy

UU Reynolds Stress (rsm; emm) Reynolds Stress uu
VV Reynolds Stress (rsm; emm) Reynolds Stress vv
WW Reynolds Stress (rsm; emm) Reynolds Stress ww
UV Reynolds Stress (rsm; emm) Reynolds Stress uv
UW Reynolds Stress (rsm, 3d; emm) Reynolds Stress uw
VW Reynolds Stress (rsm, 3d; emm) Reynolds Stress vw
Turbulence Intensity (ke, kw, or rsm) Turbulence Intensity
Turbulent Dissipation Rate (Epsilon) (ke or Turbulence Eddy Dissipation
rsm; bnv, nv, or emm)
Turbulent Dissipation Rate

Specific Dissipation Rate (Omega) (kw) Turbulence Eddy Frequency
Specific Dissipation Rate

Production of k (ke, kw, or rsm; emm) k Productiona
Modified Turbulent Viscosity (sa) Eddy Viscosity (modified)
Turbulent Viscosity (sa, ke, kw, rsm, or des) Eddy Viscosity
Effective Viscosity (sa, ke, kw, rsm, or des; Effective Viscosity
emm)
Turbulent Viscosity Ratio (ke, kw, rsm, sa, Eddy Viscosity Ratio
or des; emm)
Subgrid Kinetic Energy (les) Kinetic Energy (subgrid)
Subgrid Turbulent Viscosity (les) Eddy Viscosity (subgrid)
Subgrid Turbulent Viscosity Ratio (les) Eddy Viscosity Ratio (subgrid)
Effective Thermal Conductivity (t, e) Effective Thermal Conductivity
Effective Prandtl Number (t, e) Effective Prandtl Number
Wall Ystar (ke, kw, or rsm) Ystar
Wall Yplus (t) Yplus
Turbulent Reynolds Number (Re_y) (ke or Turbulent Reynolds Number
rsm; ewt)

Relative Length Scale (DES) (des) Relative Length Scale (DES)
Table 18.5: Species, Reactions, Pdf, and Premixed Combustion Categories

Species... Mass fraction of species-n (sp, pdf, or ppmx; <Species-n>.Mass Fraction
nv)
Mole fraction of species-n (sp, pdf, or ppmx) <Species-n>.Mole Fraction
Molar Concentration of species-n (sp, pdf, <Species-n>.Molar Concentration
or ppmx)
Lam Diff Coef of species-n (sp, dil) <Species-n>.Laminar Diffusion Coefficient
Eff Diff Coef of species-n (t, sp, dil) <Species-n>.Effective Diffusion Diffusivity
a
Thermal Diff Coef of species-n (sp) <Species-n>.Thermal Diffusion Coefficient

Enthalpy of species-n (sp) <Species-n>.Static Enthalpy
species-n Source Term (rc, cpl) <Species-n>.Source Terma
Surface Deposition Rate of species-n (sr) <Species-n>.Surface Deposition Rate
Surface Coverage of species-n (sr) <Species-n>.Surface Coveragea
Relative Humidity (sp, pdf, or ppmx; h2o) Relative Humidity
Time Step Scale (sp, stcm) Time Step Scale
Fine Scale Mass fraction of species-n (edc) <Species-n>.Fine Scale Mass Fraction
Fine Scale Transfer Rate (edc) Fine Scale Transfer Rate
1-Fine Scale Volume Fraction (edc) 1-Fine Scale Volume Fraction
Reactions... Rate of Reaction-n (rc) <Reaction-n>.Molar Reaction Rate
Net Reaction Rate of Species-n <Species-n>.Net Molar Reaction Rate
Kinetic Rate of Reaction-n <Reaction-n>.Kinetic Rate of Reaction
Kinetic Rate of Reaction-n(Porous) <Reaction-n>.Kinetic Rate of
Reaction(Porous)
Arrhenius Rate of Reaction-n (rc) <Reaction-n>.Arrhenius Rate of Reactiona
Turbulent Rate of Reaction-n (rc, t) <Reaction-n>.Turbulent Rate of Reactiona
Heat of Reaction Heat of Reaction
PDF... Mean Mixture Fraction (pdf or ppmx; nv) Mixture Fraction
Secondary Mean Mixture Fraction (pdf or Secondary Mixture Fractiona
ppmx; nv)
Mixture Fraction Variance (pdf or ppmx; nv) Mixture Fraction Variance
Secondary Mixture Fraction Variance (pdf Secondary Mixture Fraction Variancea
or ppmx; nv)
Fvar Prod (pdf or ppmx) Fvar Prod
Scalar Dissipation (pdf or ppmx) Scalar Dissipation
PDF Table Adiabatic Enthalpy Adiabatic Enthalpy (PDF Table)
PDF Table Heat Loss/Gain Heat Loss/Gain}, (PDF Table)
Premixed Progress Variable (pmx or ppmx; nv) Reaction Progress
Combustion... Damkohler Number (pmx or ppmx) Damkohler Numbera
Stretch Factor (pmx or ppmx) Stretch Factora
Turbulent Flame Speed (pmx or ppmx) Turbulent Flame Speeda
Static Temperature (pmx or ppmx) Temperature
Product Formation Rate (pmx or ppmx) Product Formation Ratea
Laminar Flame Speed (pmx or ppmx) Laminar Flame Speeda
Critical Strain Rate (pmx or ppmx) Critical Strain Ratea
a
Adiabatic Flame Temperature (pmx or Adiabatic Flame Temperature
ppmx)
Unburnt Fuel Mass Fraction (pmx or ppmx) Unburnt Fuel Mass Fractiona
Table 18.6: NOx, Soot, and Unsteady Statistics Categories

NOx... Mass fraction of NO (nox) No.Mass Fraction
Mass fraction of HCN (nox) Hcn.Mass Fraction
Mass fraction of NH3 (nox) Nh3.Mass Fraction
Mass fraction of N2O (nox) N2o.Mass Fraction
Mole fraction of NO (nox) No.Molar Fraction
Mole fraction of HCN (nox) Hcn.Molar Fraction
Mole fraction of NH3 (nox) Nh3.Molar Fraction
Mole fraction of N2O (nox) N2o.Molar Fraction
NO Density (nox) No.Density
HCN Density (nox) Hcn.Density
NH3 Density (nox) Nh3.Density
N2O Density (nox) N2o.Density
Variance of Temperature (nox) Variance of Temperature
Variance of Species-n (nox) <Species-n>.Variancea
Rate of NO No.Source
Rate of HCN Hcn.Source
Rate of NH3 Nh3.Source
a
Rate of N2O (nox) N2o Source
Rate of Thermal NO (nox) Thermal No.Molar Reaction Rate
Rate of Prompt NO (nox) Prompt No.Molar Reaction Ratea
a
Rate of Fuel NO (nox) Fuel No.Molar Reaction Rate
a
Rate of N2OPath NO (nox) N2oPath.Molar Reaction Rate
Rate of Reburn NO (nox) Reburn No.Molar Reaction Ratea
Rate of SNCR NO (nox) SNCR No.Molar Reaction Ratea
a
Rate of USER NO (nox) User No.Molar Reaction Rate

Soot... Mass fraction of soot (soot) Soot Mass Fraction
Mass fraction of Nuclei (soot) Soot Nuclei Specific Concentration
Mole fraction of soot (soot) Soot Molar Fractiona
Soot Density (soot) Soot.Density
Rate of Soot (soot) Soot Mass Sourcea
Rate of Nuclei (soot) Soot Nuclei Sourcea
Heterogeneous Reaction Rate n Heterogeneous Reaction Rate n
Unsteady Mean quantity-n (stat) <variable>.Trnavg
Statistics... RMS quantity-n (stat) <variable>.Trnrms
Table 18.7: Phases, Discrete Phase Model, Granular Pressure, and Granular Temperature Categories

Phases... Volume fraction (mp) <phase>.Volume Fraction
Discrete Phase DPM Mass Source (dpm) <particle>.Particle Mass Source
Model... DPM Erosion (dpm, cv) <particle>.Particle Erosion Rate Density a
DPM Accretion (dpm, cv) <particle>.Particle Wall Mass Flow Densitya

DPM X Momentum Source (dpm) <particle>.Particle Momentum Source X
DPM Y Momentum Source (dpm) <particle>.Particle Momentum Source Y
DPM Z Momentum Source (dpm, 3d) <particle>.Particle Momentum Source Z
DPM Swirl Momentum Source (dpm, 2dasw) <particle>.Particle Swirl Momentum Source
DPM Sensible Enthalpy Source (dpm, e) <particle>.Particle Sensible Enthalpy Source
DPM Enthalpy Source (dpm, e) <particle>.Particle Energy Source
DPM Absorption Coefficient (dpm, rad) <particle>.Particle Absorption Coefficient
DPM Emission (dpm, rad) <particle>.Particle Radiative Emission
a
DPM Scattering (dpm, rad) <particle>.Particle Radiative Scattering
DPM Burnout (dpm, sp, e) Particle Burnout
DPM Evaporation/Devolatilization (dpm, sp, Particle Evaporation-Devolatilization
e)
DPM Concentration (dpm) <particle>.Volume Fraction
DPM Mass Source Particle Mass Source
DPM Erosion Particle Erosion Rate Density
DPM Accretion Particle Wall Mass Flow Density
DPM X Momentum Source Particle Momentum Source X
DPM Y Momentum Source Particle Momentum Source Y
DPM Z Momentum Source Particle Momentum Source Z
DPM Swirl Momentum Source Particle Swirl Momentum Source
DPM Sensible Enthalpy Source Particle Sensible Enthalpy Source
DPM Enthalpy Source Particle Enthalpy Source
DPM Absorption Coefficient Particle Absorption Coefficient
DPM Emission Particle Radiative Emission
DPM Scattering Particle Radiative Scattering
DPM Burnout Particle Burnout
DPM Evaporation/Devolatilization Particle Evaporation-Devolatilization
DPM Concentration Particle Mass Concentration
DPM Turbulent Kinetic Energy Source Particle Turbulent Kinetic Energy Source
DPM Turbulent Dissipation Source Particle Turbulent Dissipation Source
DPM Species-n Concentration <Species-n>.Particle Mass Concentration
DPM Species-n Source (dpm, sp, e) <Species-n>.Particle Mass Source
Granular Granular Pressure (emm, gran) <phase>.Granular Pressurea
Pressure...
Granular Granular Temperature (emm, gran) <phase>.Granular Temperature
Temperature...
Table 18.8: Properties, Wall Fluxes, User Defined Scalars, and User Defined Memory Categories

Properties... Molecular Viscosity (v) Dynamic Viscosity
Diameter(mix, emm) Mean Particle Diameter
a
Granular Conductivity (mix, emm, gran) Granular Conductivity
Thermal Conductivity (e, v) Thermal Conductivity
Specific Heat (Cp) (e) Specific Heat Capacity at Constant Pressure
Specific Heat Ratio (gamma) (id) Specific Heat Ratioa
Gas Constant (R) (id) R Gas Constant
Molecular Prandtl Number (e, v) Prandtl Numbera
Mean Molecular Weight (seg, pdf) Molar Massa
Compressibility Factor Compressibility Factor
Reduced Temperature Reduced Temperature
Reduced Pressure Reduced Pressure
Critical Temperature Critical Temperature
Critical Pressure Critical Pressure
Acentric Factor Acentric Factor
Critical Specific Volume Critical Specific Volume
a
Sound Speed (id) Local Speed of Sound
Wall Fluxes... Wall Shear Stress (v, cv, emm) Wall Shear
X-Wall Shear Stress (v, cv, emm) Wall Shear X
Y-Wall Shear Stress (v, cv, emm) Wall Shear Y
Z-Wall Shear Stress (v, 3d, cv, emm) Wall Shear Z
Axial-Wall Shear Stress (2da, cv) Wall Shear Axial
Radial-Wall Shear Stress (2da, cv) Wall Shear Radial

Swirl-Wall Shear Stress (2dasw, cv) Wall Shear Circumferential
Skin Friction Coefficient (v, cv, emm) Skin Friction Coefficient
Total Surface Heat Flux (e, v, cv) Wall Heat Flux
Radiation Heat Flux (rad, cv) Wall Radiative Heat Flux
Solar Heat Flux (sol, cv) Solar Heat Flux
Absorbed Radiation Flux (Band-n) (do,cv) Absorbed Radiation Flux (Band-n)
Absorbed Visible Solar Flux (sol, cv) Absorbed Visible Solar Flux
Absorbed IR Solar Flux (sol, cv) Absorbed IR Solar Flux
Reflected Radiation Flux (Band-n) (do, cv) Reflected Radiation Flux
Reflected Visible Solar Flux (sol, cv) Reflected Visible Solar Flux
Reflected IR Solar Flux (sol, cv) Reflected IR Solar Flux
Transmitted Visible Solar Flux (sol, cv) Transmitted Visible Solar Flux
Transmitted IR Solar Flux (sol, cv) Transmitted IR Solar Flux
Beam Irradiation Flux (Band-n) (do, cv) <Band-n>.Beam Irradiation Flux
Surface Incident Radiation (do, dtrm, or s2s; Surface Incident Radiation
cv)
Surface Heat Transfer Coef. (e, v, cv) Surface Heat Transfer Coefficient
Wall Func. Heat Tran. Coef. (e, v, cv) Wall Heat Transfer Coefficient
Surface Nusselt Number (e, v, cv) Surface Nusselt Number
Surface Stanton Number (e, v, cv) Surface Stanton Number
User-Defined Scalar-n (uds) <Scalar-n>
Scalars... Diffusion Coef. of Scalar-n (uds) <Scalar-n>.Diffusion Coefficient
User-Defined User Memory n (udm) User Defined Memory <n>
Memory...
Table 18.9: Cell Info, Grid, and Adaption Categories

Cell Info... Cell Partition (np) Cell Partition
Active Cell Partition (p) Active Cell Partition
Stored Cell Partition (p) Stored Cell Partition
Cell Id (p) Cell Id
Cell Element Type Cell Element Type
Cell Zone Type Cell Zone Type
Cell Zone Index Cell Zone Index
Partition Neighbors Partition Neighbors
Grid... X-Coordinate (nv) X
Y-Coordinate (nv) Y
Z-Coordinate (3d, nv) Z
Axial Coordinate (nv) Axial Coordinate
Angular Coordinate (3d, nv) Angular Coordinate
Abs. Angular Coordinate (3d, nv) Absolute Angular Coordinate
Radial Coordinate (nv) Radial Angular Coordinate
Face Area Magnitude Face Area Magnitude
X Face Area Face Area X
Y Face Area Face Area Y
Z Face Area (3d) Face Area Z
Cell Equiangle Skew Cell Equiangle Skew
Cell Equivolume Skew Cell Equivolume Skew
Cell Volume Cell Volume
2D Cell Volume (2da) 2d Cell Volume
Cell Wall Distance Cell Wall Distance
Face Handedness Face Handedness
Face Squish Index Face Squish Index
Cell Squish Index Cell Squish Index
Table 18.10: Grid Category (Turbomachinery-Specific Variables) and Adaption Category

Grid... Meridional Coordinate (nv, turbo) Meridional Coordinate
Abs Meridional Coordinate (nv, turbo) Abs Meridional Coordinate
Spanwise Coordinate (nv, turbo) Spanwise Coordinate
Abs (H-C) Spanwise Coordinate (nv, turbo) Abs (H-C) Spanwise Coordinate
Abs (C-H) Spanwise Coordinate (nv, turbo) Abs (C-H) Spanwise Coordinate
Pitchwise Coordinate (nv, turbo) Pitchwise Coordinate
Abs Pitchwise Coordinate (nv, turbo) Abs Pitchwise Coordinate
Adaption... Adaption Function Adaption Function
Adaption Curvature Adaption Curvature
Adaption Space Gradient Adaption Space Gradient
Adaption Iso-Value Adaption Iso-Value
Existing Value Existing Value
Boundary Cell Distance Boundary Cell Distance
Boundary Normal Distance Boundary Normal Distance
Boundary Volume Distance (np) Boundary Volume Distance
Cell Volume Change Cell Volume Change
Cell Surface Area Cell Surface Area
Cell Warpage Cell Warpage
Cell Children Cell Children

Cell Refine Level Cell Refine Level
Table 18.11: Residuals Category

Residuals... Mass Imbalance (seg) Mass Imbalance
Pressure Residual (cpl) Residual Pressure
X-Velocity Residual (cpl) Residual u Velocity
Y-Velocity Residual (cpl) Residual v Velocity
Z-Velocity Residual (cpl, 3d) Residual w Velocity
Axial-Velocity Residual (cpl, 2da) Residual Velocity Axial
Radial-Velocity Residual (cpl, 2da) Residual Velocity Radial
Swirl-Velocity Residual (cpl, 2dasw) Residual Velocity Circumferential
Temperature Residual (cpl, e) Residual Temperature
Species-n Residual (cpl, sp) <Species-n>.Residual
Time Step (cpl) Time Step
Pressure Correction (cpl) Pressure Correction
X-Velocity Correction (cpl) Velocity Correction u
Y-Velocity Correction (cpl) Velocity Correction v
Z-Velocity Correction (cpl, 3d) Velocity Correction w
Axial-Velocity Correction (cpl, 2da) Velocity Correction Axial
Radial-Velocity Correction (cpl, 2da) Velocity Correction Radial
Swirl-Velocity Correction (cpl, 2dasw) Velocity Correction Circumferential
Temperature Correction (cpl, e) Temperature Correction
Species-n Correction (cpl, sp) <Species-n>.Correction
Table 18.12: Derivatives Category

Derivatives... Strain Rate (v) Strain Rate
dX-Velocity/dx du-Velocity-dx
dY-Velocity/dx dv-Velocity-dx
dZ-Velocity/dx (3d) dw-Velocity-dx
dAxial-Velocity/dx (2da) dAxial-Velocity-dx
dRadial-Velocity/dx (2da) dRadial-Velocity-dx
dSwirl-Velocity/dx (2dasw) dCircumferential-Velocity-dx
d species-n/dx (cpl, sp) d<Species-n>-dx
dX-Velocity/dy du-Velocity-dy
dY-Velocity/dy dv-Velocity-dy
dZ-Velocity/dy (3d) dw-Velocity-dy
dAxial-Velocity/dy (2da) dAxial-Velocity-dy
dRadial-Velocity/dy (2da) dRadial-Velocity-dy
dSwirl-Velocity/dy (2dasw) dCircumferential-Velocity-dy
d species-n/dy (cpl, sp) d<Species-n>-dy
dX-Velocity/dz (3d) du-Velocity-dz
dY-Velocity/dz (3d) dv-Velocity-dz
dZ-Velocity/dz (3d) dw-Velocity-dz
d species-n/dz (cpl, sp, 3d) d<Species-n>-dz
dOmega/dx (2dasw) dOmega-dx
dOmega/dy (2dasw) dOmega-dy
dT/dx dT/dx
dT/dy dT/dy
dT/dz dT/dz
dp-dX (seg) dp-dX
dp-dY (seg) dp-dY
dp-dZ (seg, 3d) dp-dZ
Table 18.13: Acoustics Category

Acoustics... Surface dpdt RMS (fwh) Surface dpdt RMS
Acoustic Power Level (dB) (bns) Acoustic Power Level (dB)
Acoustic Power (bns) Acoustic Power
Jet Acoustic Power Level (dB) (bns, 2da) Jet Acoustic Power Level (dB)
Jet Acoustic Power (bns, 2da) Jet Acoustic Power
Surface Acoustic Power Level (dB) (bns)
Surface Acoustic Power (bns)
Lilley's Self-Noise Source (bns) Lilley's Self-Noise Source
Lilley's Shear-Noise Source (bns) Lilley's Shear-Noise Source
Lilley's Total Noise Source (bns) Lilley's Total Noise Source
LEE Self-Noise X-Source (bns) LEE Self-Noise X-Source
LEE Shear-Noise X-Source (bns) LEE Shear-Noise X-Source
LEE Total Noise X-Source (bns) LEE Total Noise X-Source
LEE Self-Noise Y-Source (bns) LEE Self-Noise Y-Source
LEE Shear-Noise Y-Source (bns) LEE Shear-Noise Y-Source
LEE Total Noise Y-Source (bns) LEE Total Noise Y-Source
LEE Self-Noise Z-Source (bns, 3d) LEE Self-Noise Z-Source
LEE Shear-Noise Z-Source (bns, 3d) LEE Shear-Noise Z-Source

LEE Total Noise Z-Source (bns, 3d) LEE Total Noise Z-Source
Table 18.14: Sensitivities Category

Body Force... Sensitivity to Body Force X-Component Sensitivity to Body Force X
Sensitivity to Body Force Y-Component Sensitivity to Body Force Y
Sensitivity to Body Force Z-Component Sensitivity to Body Force Z
Sensitivity to Mass Sources Sensitivity to Mass Sources
Table 18.15: Film Category

Film... Film Thickness Film Thickness
Film X Velocity Film Velocity u
Film Y Velocity Film Velocity v
Film Z Velocity Film Velocity w
Film Temperature Film Temperature
Film Weber Number Film Weber Number
Film Surface X Velocity Film Surface Velocity u
Film Surface Y Velocity Film Surface Velocity v
Film Surface Z Velocity Film Surface Velocity w
Film DPM Mass Source Film DPM Mass Source
Film DPM x-mom Source Film DPM mom Source X
Film DPM y-mom Source Film DPM mom Source Y
Film DPM z-mom Source Film DPM mom Source Z
Film DPM Energy Source Film DPM Energy Source
Film DPM Shed Mass Film DPM Shed Mass
Film DPM Stripped Mass Film DPM Stripped Mass
Film DPM Stripped Diameter Film DPM Stripped Diameter
Note
The Fluent variable XF_RF_REACTING_CHANNEL_DATA will not be read by CFD-Post.

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ANSYS CFD-Post User's Guide

ANSYS, Inc. Release 18.0

© 2016 SAS IP, Inc. Unauthorized use, distribution or duplication is prohibited.

U.S. Government Rights

Published in the U.S.A.

3.4.2.4.7. Show Mesh Lines .................................................................................................. 24

3.4.5.5.1.5. Charts: File Type ........................................................................................... 45

4.1.5. Properties View ...................................................................................................................... 62

6.5. Sharing the Analysis ........................................................................................................................ 88

7.8.2.1.1. File ..................................................................................................................... 105

9.2.1.1. Interpolation Tolerance ................................................................................................ 137

11.1.2.1.2.4. Spacing .................................................................................................... 153

11.1.5.1.2. Element Types ................................................................................................... 160

11.1.9.1.2.3. Line .......................................................................................................... 175

11.1.12.2. Surface Group: Color ................................................................................................ 185

11.4.1.2.7. Preview Seeds Button ........................................................................................ 195

11.5.4. Particle Track: Render .......................................................................................................... 203

11.9.4.1. Sizing Parameters ...................................................................................................... 213

11.16.1.1.4.1. Fast Fourier Transform (FFT) Theory ......................................................... 229

12.2.4.1.1. Animation Speed .............................................................................................. 259

13.3.4. Individual Component Initialization (Advanced Feature) ...................................................... 296

13.7.6.3. Hub to Shroud Turbo Charts ....................................................................................... 309

• About this Manual (p. xxi)

• Document Conventions (p. xxii)

how to access the online help system:

• Accessing Help (p. xxiv)

and how to obtain support for your software:

• Contact Information (p. xxiv)

1. About this Manual

• Overview of CFD-Post (p. 1) describes CFD-Post functionality and advanced features.

• CFD-Post Graphical Interface (p. 13) describes the CFD-Post interface.

• CFD-Post Workflow (p. 87) describes common ways to use CFD-Post.

File and Directory Names

cfx5post -batch <batch_file>

cfx5export -cgns [-verbose] <file>

Operating System Names

2.1. Spelling Conventions

• atomization rather than atomisation

• color rather than colour

• customization rather than customisation

• discretization rather than discretisation

• initialization rather than initialisation

• meter rather than metre

• normalization rather than normalisation

• vapor rather than vapour

• vaporization rather than vaporisation

When searching, use American spellings:

For: Search for:

For: Search for:

• To access documentation files on the ANSYS Customer Portal, go to http://support.ansys.com/documentation.

PDF help is available in the ANSYS Customer Portal (support.ansys.com/docdownloads).

Book Description PDF

SPAIN and PORTUGAL

TAIWAN, REPUBLIC OF CHINA

This chapter describes:

1.1. CFD-Post Features and Functionality

• Scalar and vector user-defined variables.

• Variable freezing (for comparison with other files).

CFD-Post includes the following functionality:

• Imports/exports ANSYS data, generic data, and generic geometry.

1.2. 3Dconnexion Product Support

1.3. Advanced Features

CFX Command Language (CCL)